Editorial Review

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Reviews (276)

Great Book
I read this book to my daughter and son and they loved it.It is my daughter's favorite book.This author is very created in taking you into a different world.Very science fiction.

A classic that transcends time
This was one of my favorite books when I was growing up. Now that I am a mother, I am thrilled to be able to share this very same story with my own daughter and watch her eyes light up with excitement every time we read it together. My daughter absolutely loves all the colorful, interesting illustrations throughout the book that accompany the equally colorful story. The little imp Max appeals to her "devilish" side, and she laughs with glee as max dons his wolf suit and chases after the dog or as he swings from the vines and marches under the moonlight with the "wild things". This is a book that she really enjoys taking an active part in. How cute it is when she pretends to be one of the wild things...roaring her own little roar and showing her "terrible claws" right along with the story. It is such a wonderful message, too. Max takes an imaginary trip to "Where the Wild Things Are" after being sent to bed without his supper, but even though he becomes King of All Wild Things, he learns that there's nothing more comforting in life than being where he is loved no matter what. And when he "returns" to his room and finds his supper waiting for him, he knows he is truly loved. Such a beautiful story related in a way that both children and adults can relate to.

All-time favorite
If my family were to be stranded on a desert island with only 1 picture book, I'd choose this one. It was my favorite when I was a kid, and is now my daughters' favorites. Why? Well, the illustrations, to begin with. Wonderfully detailed and funny, my kids spend several minutes looking over each. My favorite part is the sequence of Max's room turning into a forest.
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Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Bedtime Stories    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Classics    7. Fantasy    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Monsters    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

When Dr. Seuss gets serious, you know it must be important. Published in 1971, and perhaps inspired by the "save our planet" mindset of the 1960s, Read more

Reviews (86)

Heed the Warning!
The Lorax is another book by Seuss with a powerful message within its pages. Its message is more overt and obvious to the reader than other Seuss books. Simply stated, we must take care of the natural resources around us or they could be forever lost. The main character in the story is filled with greed at the prospect making and selling more Thneeds. He continually ignores the Lorax's warnings. For a while, he and his family are very successful and prosperous, but in time the prophetic warnings come to pass. The trees are all gone, the air is black with smog, and the water is thick with sludge. For me, the Lorax represents those in our society who put themselves on the front lines to protect our environment. Many ridicule them and call them "Tree Huggers!" But, we should think twice before we dismiss their warnings. We have already seen many of the parallels between this book and reality occur.

The favorite of a father and a daughter.
As I approached my 100th review, I wondered if I should make it special? Tonight I decided what it should be after reading it to my daughter.
How much do I love this book?!
I love, love, LOVE The Lorax! This book should be required reading in schools, especially in light of the current trend towards corporate responsibility. Every time I hear someone defend a toxic product, I think, "But a Thneed is a thing that everyone, everyone, EVERYONE needs!" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Classics    5. Ecology    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Nature & the Natural World - Ecology    9. Nature & the Natural World - Environment    10. Nature & the Natural World - Environment & Ecology    11. Nature & the Natural World - General    12. Pollution    13. Stories in rhyme    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Nature / Forests & Trees    15. Picture books   

Editorial Review

With its lovely, humorous illustrations and wonderful narrative about a hungry caterpillar growing up to be a beautiful butterfly, Eric Carle's story touches anyone who still has some growing to do. Along with reassuring repetition--"He was still hungry ..."--the book includes some wonderful interactive moments: what youngster can resist sticking a finger through that hole in the page as his ravenous friend makes his way through various delicacies? ... Read more

Reviews (211)

A VERY WELL DONE BOOK - QUITE INFORMATIVE
I normally do not care all that much for "pop-up" type books, as they tend to sort of come apart at the seams with constant use.This one is differnt though.It is well made and is able to stand a lot of use and abuse.The story is great, tellin the life cycle of a butterfly.The illustrations are quite colorful and very easy to follow and understand.The text goes perfectly with the pictures and it is amazing how how the little one cannot keep thier fingers out of the many holes the caterpillar chews through on his way to becoming a butterfly.This explains the life cycle of the butterfly.I found, with my grandchildren, that after reading the book (time and time again) that when we captured a live caterpillar, gave it plenty to eat, and let it go through the entire process as shown in the book, they, the grandchildern were absolutely fascinated.Recommend this one highly.

Love this book!!!
This book is one of my childrens' favorites.From the time they were both too little to know their days of the week they still chimed in when the caterpillar ate and ate and was "Still Hungry" until they could say the days of the week with no problem, this book will forever be a staple among my families' collections.The illustrations are Eric Carle's usual terrific array of colors and creatures. This book is also great for nursery school teachers to read and explain to their children the beautiful transformation from caterpillar to butterfly by using live caterpillars as an educational tool.

Wonderful, colorful book
I love this book because you can start reading it from when your child is a newborn up through the preschool years.Babies will appreciate the pictures, colors and cadence.Preschoolers will love the story and pictures.The board book version is perfect for small hands. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Caterpillars    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Specimens    10. Toy and movable books    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Editorial Review

If geese had graves, Mother Goose would be rolling in hers. Read more

Reviews (134)

THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL, "STUPID TALES"
THERE WAS NO DOUBT I WASN'T WARNED BEFORE PURCHASING THIS, WHAT I WAS GETTING.IT'S SARCASTIC, PARTS ARE FUNNY, BUT I COULDN'T BRING MYSELF TO WASTE ANY MORE OF MY TIME BY FINISHING THE BOOK. HOWEVER, HIS BOOK ABOUT THE WOLF & 3 PIGS WAS MUCH MORE CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tails
A fantastic book not only for the young, but all ages. However, if you do not have the background knowledge in the many original fairy tales, you may fail to see the humour throughout the book. I love it!

Stinky Cheese... funny? YES!
The story is narrated by Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk.It is separated into a few short funny stories based on well known fairy tales.Jack talks to characters in the stories as well as the reader throughout the book in a very comical way that keeps the readers involved and entertained.All of the short stories are very funny and separate from each other; however, the characters sometimes travel from one story to another as a sort of underlying plot.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's stories, American    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Fairy tales    6. Humorous Stories    7. Preschool Folk Tales    8. Scieszka, Jon    9. Short stories    10. United States    11. English literature: poetry texts & anthologies    12. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

The irrepressible mouse heroine of Read more

Reviews (43)

Aaaaaawww!
I got this book when I was 6 and I still like it! It is the touching story of little Lilly, who loves her teacher but hates him when he takes away her purple plastic purse and sunglasses. It is sooo cute and very fun to read. It is very true-to-life, unlike those other stupid books that think they're tapping into the minds of children. I highly recommend this book. I even have a kid-sized purple plastic purse and a Lilly stuffed animal! This is such a cute book. 5 stars and perfect for any age!

Another Kevin Henkes hit
We read two books to our daughter every night. With that in mind, we pay careful attention to the books we buy to read her. I love all of Kevin Henkes' books. They are both visually delightful and entertaining for both my daughter and I. He manages to be intelligent without being corny, and as I am reading I honestly feel like her vocabulary is being broadened. He never "dumbs down" his book with easy wording. I am also an English teacher and appreciate all aspects of his work.

Marvelous--another great Kevin Henkes book
I just started student teaching this semester and this was the first book I read to my third grade class. Some read it already, but were still very excited to hear it again and again!
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Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Fiction    6. Henkes, Kevin    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mice    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. School & Education    12. School stories    13. Schools    14. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    15. Teachers    16. Juvenile Fiction / Toys, Dolls, Puppets   

Editorial Review

"One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight." So begins this gentle story that shows just how far your imagination can take you.Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of beauty and excitement. But this is no hare-brained, impulsive flight of fantasy. Cherubic, round-headed Harold conducts his adventure with the utmost prudence, letting his imagination run free, but keeping his wits about him all the while. He takes the necessary purple-crayon precautions: drawing landmarks to ensure he won't get lost; sketching a boat when he finds himself in deep water; and creating a purple pie picnic when he feels the first pangs of hunger.Read more

Reviews (102)

bring your imagination
If you have a small child who is not crazy about books, try this one.I have yet to read it to a kindergarten class who was not enthralled with it. Harold is a delight for young and old.He is lovable and at the same time all-powerful, wielding his purple crayon as he chooses.This is a classic no family should be without.

"And the moon went with him."
This is a book of such simplicity, both in its words and its illustrations, that one may dismiss it at first glance. Don't! Harold and the Purple Crayon is a magical book. Its popularity may have waned since its original publication over 50 years ago, but it has such enduring charm. Harold has such a wonderful imagination, and in his hands the purple crayon does incredible things. If you've never read this book, please join Harold on his journey. I can't imagine you'll be disappointed.

Harold - fifty years on!
I bought this fiftieth edition for my daughter because it was one of her favourite books when she was young. She is twenty-five now and the old book is falling to pieces and still has her added drawings in it. She was very happy with the new shiny copy, even though the original was smaller in size. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Bedtime Stories    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Classics    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Night    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

Did you ever wake up to one of those days where everything is a problem?You have 10 things to do, but only 30 minutes till thebus leaves.Is there enough time?You have 3 shirts and 2 pairs ofpants -- can you make 1 good outfit?Don't worry -- it's just the Math Curse striking! An amusing book about dealing with numbers in everyday life. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Train Your Child To Be An Analytical Thinker (and Innoculate Him Against Math Phobia)....
After her math teacher "Mrs. Fibonacci" says that almost everything could be thought of as a math problem, the narrator enters a bizarre realm where "everything seems to be a problem," and it gets increasingly worse, as she becomes a "math zombie" before the brilliant (and for older folks, profound) conclusion.The math problems start out simple ("It takes me 10 minutes to get dressed...If my bus leaves at 8:00, will I make it on time?"), even English is a math problem ("If mail+box=mailbox... Does lipstick-stick=lip?)"Money, time, measurement, fractions, sequences, estimation, sets, logic and more are covered--there's even a quadratic formula and mention of Zeno!The brilliance of this book is that it anticipates and removes the obstacle of math phobia, specifically fear of word problems, that I saw more often than not back when I was a math teacher.Although the bookcover says "For ages > 6 and < 99,"and that is true because of the layers of relevance, I'd especially recommend it for early third grade, that way by the time the onslaught of word problems begins, word problems will seem more like word "puzzles" and fun.Great critical thinking tool, fun both in its story and visuals.

Um...yeah
This book is really stupid and, honestly, if I had children, I would not ever put them down by giving them this book.Anyone who has a brain with a capacity higher than that of one with F.A.S. should be able to figure out the answes within two seconds or less and is a waste of money and time.

Great Real-Life Math Book
This book is great for showing kids how math constantly appears in real life!
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Math anxiety    7. Mathematics    8. School & Education    9. School stories    10. Schools    11. Science & Technology - Mathematics    12. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories    13. Puzzles & quizzes   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (32)

A Wonderful Read Aloud for Toddlers/Kinders and A Great Reading for Young Children
I first learned about this book while teaching second grade.It was one of our chapter books for group reading.My second grade students couldn't get enough of this wonderful classic and enjoyed reading it each day.They also voted it as the favorite chapter book that they read all year.Now as a parent I purchased it as a read aloud bedtime story for my three year old that has developed a love of dragons.It is a timeless story full of adventure and imagination!The chapters are short, making it a great bedtime story to be read over multiple nights.A must for every family library!Parents will enjoy it as well as children.It is a story that once you finish your child will ask, "Can we read it again?"

wonderful, imaginative
My five-year-old son loves this book.The first time, I read it out loud to him and his sister.He has read it alone several times since then.I think the writing is right on his level - he has tackled tougher books but not gone back to them like this one - and it is long enough that he doesn't finish it in fifteen minutes.The story sounds to me just like something a kid would think of - for example, how Elmer crossed the river full of crocodiles.
Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I absolutely this book.It is about a young boy, Elmer Elevator, and a dragon, Boris, who go on a lot of adventures.I read it five years ago, when I was seven, and it is great for kids ages 7-10 to read alone.Younger kids would enjoy it too if someone read it out loud to them.Makes a great b-day or Christmas present!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Classics    7. Dragons    8. Fiction    9. Fantasy    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk go the blueberries into the pail of a little girl named Sal who--try as she might--just can't seem to pick as fast as she eats. Robert McCloskey's classic is a magical tale of the irrepressible curiosity--not to mention appetite--of youth. Sal and her mother set off in search of blueberries for the winter at the same time as a mother bear and her cub. A quiet comedy of errors ensues when the young ones wander off and absentmindedly trail the wrong mothers. Read more

Reviews (60)

A Sweet Little Story
I purchased this book to read to my baby and it is just a sweet little tale about Mommies and their mischievious babies.I can't wait until she is old enough to sit on my lap and really understand the story when I read it to her.I highly recommend it.

It's an Oldie but a Goldie!
My kindergarten teacher had also read this book to me and now I'm reading it to my kids, but really to my son because he's 4 and my daughter is 8. She listens to it when it comes time for me to read it to him because she would find it amusing. Blueberries for Sal preserve a distinct since of life when tin pails and wood smoke, bobby pins and rambling dirt roads were routine. At the same time it is a timeless portrayal of curiosity and maternal instinct as Sal and her mother find themselves sharing their berry patch with a hungry bear cub and its mother. The words flow in a natural rhythm, creating patterns that build anticipation.
Good book
My daughter loved this book from the age of six and continues to love it now that she is just about eight.This book doesn't hold my six year old son's interest as long as it did my daughter's but he does like it.Makes a nice gift for any that age group. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bears    2. Children's Baby - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Preschool    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Maine    9. Picture books    10. Stories    11. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

This collection of five complete, illustrated Dr. Seuss classics is a "hatful," but you'd have to have a Cat-in-the-Hat-sized chapeau to contain all the treasures in this hefty book. Within its pages you'll find Theodor Seuss Geisel's exuberant creations Read more

Reviews (11)

Wonderful Seuss
Typically wonderful Seuss.A collection of favorites which still entertain and delight childern of all ages!Told in the whimsical, melodic, rhyming style that is Seuss' alone these stories present the challenges and triumph of basic human goodness that we want our children to learn.I highly recommend this collection.I read them to my grandson and notice that by the end of a story the whole house has tuned in and is anxiously awaiting that heart tickling sensation that comes at the conclusion of every Suess tale.

A good buy, but Six by Seuss is better
Two of the books collected here are classics (Sleep Book and The Sneetches) and the other three are also pretty good, so this is well worth buying.The now out-of-print "Six by Seuss" however, is an even better value, since it includes five of his very best stories (Yertle, Mulberry Street, the Grinch, the Lorax, and Horton Hatches the Egg) under one cover.I would recommend looking for that book first, then getting this if your child turns out to be a hardcore Seuss fan.

Some of the best of Dr. Seuss
Here's a rare book that gives you more than it promises. While it's titled "Five Favorite Dr. Seuss Stories," you actually get EIGHT stories.That's because there's three extra ones ("The Zax," "Too Many Daves," and "What Was I Scared Of?") included with "The Sneetches and Other Stories."
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's stories, American    4. Children: Preschool    5. Classics    6. Humorous Stories    7. Humorous stories, American    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Short stories    10. Stories in rhyme    11. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

If you read this very popular book just before bed, and the light is still on in the hallway, you can make the rainbow scales glitter on the page, and realize why the Rainbow Fish was so proud of his beautiful decoration. Sometimes, though, being too proud of outside beauty can blind a fish, or a child (or even, heaven forbid, a parent) to the beauty people hold inside. That's the lesson of this simple tale, imported from Switzerland. It's a useful one for future sneaker and designer clothing shoppers, for rainbow fish--and for quieter, plainer minnows, too. ... Read more

Reviews (158)

One of the BEST books!!
My son (22 months) LOVES this book.I read this book at least once a week.Great for teaching sharing!
An Adorable Book With An Outstanding Message!
This is an adorable book! It is fun and easy to read and it has a great message. This book teaches children to share their gifts and talents with others, and that material possessions are not everything in life. This book taught me that in general, people put too much emphasis on material possessions, when we really should be focusing most of our energy on relationships and more important issues that really matter in the world. This book teaches the importance of friendship and overall happiness in life. If children can understand these concepts it will only help them in life. This book shows a fish who starts out being selfish and is very unhappy because he does not have any friends. Eventually, after discussing his lonliness with someone wiser, he shares his rainbow scales with the other fish, who, in return, invite him to join their circle of friends. This simple plot line is easy for children to understand, yet so very important in life. The layout is also simple; there is one paragraph on every other page and it is written with simple language and simple dialogue. Even though this book typically attracts young readers, the message is universal and appropriate for all ages. This is a fantastic book! I highly recommend it to readers of all ages!

Why isn't there are 0 star option?
From Publisher's Weekly, '...the lonely fish seeks advice from the wise octopus, who counsels him to give away his beauty and "discover how to be happy."'
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Fishes    2. Beauty, Personal    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Children: Preschool    7. Fiction    8. Fishes    9. Friendship    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. Social Issues - Values    14. Social Situations - Values    15. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Values    16. Picture books   

Editorial Review

Exotic, beautiful, and instructive, this "mathematical folktale" by author-illustrator Demi emerged from her love of India. The narrative and the evocative illustrations combine to create a real sense of the culture and atmosphere of this romantic land. Read more

Reviews (17)

A lot to learn, including girl-power
This is Demi's re-telling of an old folktale of a king who orders that all rice in his kingdom must be stored in the royal granaries so that there would be food in times of famine; but when his people start to go hungry, he refuses to open the granaries, claiming that the situation was not bad enough to warrant doing so - until a small child outsmarts him by asking for a grain of rice doubled every day for a month.
a tale to delight both young and old
My daughter is three and loves this book -- not just for the gorgeous fold-out illustrated spread of the caravan of elephants carrying the rice on the 30th day -- but because she can follow along with the story.The tale is of a rich greedy rajah who doesn't want to share, but is then outwitted by a young girl and forced to give up all the grain in his storehouses.At the end, he is humbled and vows to be a more fair and wise ruler.My daughter loves to sit with one grain of rice in her hand like Rani on the title page of the book.I can see her forming rudimentary mathematical concepts, but I won't push it.There's plenty of time to return to this book when we introduce the times tables.
One grain of rice = many valuable lessons for students
One Grain of RIce is not only a bookof math, it is also a folktale.It shows how rice can grow from one grain, to two grains,to four grains, to 8 grains to 16 grains and all the way up to a whole barn full of grain.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Asian    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    6. Folklore    7. India    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mathematics    10. Science & Technology    11. Science & Technology - Mathematics    12. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic   

Editorial Review

When Christopher Robin asks Pooh what he likes doing best in the world, Pooh says, after much thought, "What I like best in the whole world is Me and Piglet going to see You, and You saying 'What about a little something?' and Me saying, 'Well, I shouldn't mind a little something, should you, Piglet,' and it being a hummy sort of day outside, and birds singing."Read more

Reviews (57)

A Winning Book
The tales are lovable, enjoyable and moving, and perhaps the most important thing is that although written for kids, we adults can reflect on the way we live our daily lives. We live through the pages the feelings of all characters fear, amazement, joy, kindness, self-inflicted misery, competitiveness, good times, and most of all, positiveness and passion to enjoy and nature true friendship.We have these feelings and emotions as human beings.There are Rabbits, and Tiggers and Owls and Piglets all around us and we can barely seem to recognize them in our friends or the people we communicate with every day. Illustrations are gorgeous,an outstanding vision of life.
childhood favorite
Who doesn't love Winnie The Pooh? Don't answer that. This is an excellent and charming book to use for bedtime stories for children. I grew up with it and I still love it! It endears the simplicity of life and love...and honey.

Wonderful to read aloud
Just great to get back to the 'book' instead of just videos of Pooh. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Short Stories    8. Toys    9. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule--untilan owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her mother's loving grasp. The tiny bat is lucky enough to land in a nest of baby birds, but her whole world has just turned upside down. Literally. Stellaluna's adoptive bird mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. Soon Stellaluna has learned to behave like a good bird should--she quits hanging by her feet and starts eating bugs. But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded. "How can we be so different and feel so much alike?" one asks. "And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?" asks another. "I agree," Stellaluna responds. "But we're friends. And that's a fact." Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts--and possibilities--Stellaluna faces. This gorgeously illustrated book is sure to be an all-time favorite with readers, whether they've left the nest or not. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustration from Read more

Reviews (86)

Friendship is the Compromise of Differences
This is the story of a baby fruit bat, also known as the "flying fox", named Stellaluna who fell off of her mother's belly during an assault on them by an owl, who is bats' natural enemy, as they flew in the night sky. Stellaluna, whose weak wings not being ready to fly yet, finds herself in a bird's nest among chicks. And a beautiful friendship begins as Stellakuna assumes the role of a "good bird" and becomes a member of the family. Soon nature makes them realize how different Stellaluna is from the other birds. Ultimately friendship proves to be the strongest force of nature.

This is how much I love Jannell Cannon books...
I bought Stellaluna even before I had a child! I absolutely fell in love not only with the story and message the book conveyed, but also the wonderful and endearing artwork. I have since had a child and purchased all of her books, the latest one being Pinduli. It is the perfect follow-up to her other books.
A Tale of Finding our Way
Beautifully illustrated, this story is filled with depth and meaning.The message this book carries is one of great sensitivity:how do we fit in with others who are "different", how do we fit in when sometimes we ourselves feel "different"? Most important, Stellaluna learns to accept and be herself:even when she is different from others.This is not necessarily an easy task at any age, and this tale can be a guide for children (and adults) finding their way to self-love.The story evokes "Zen Shorts" and "The Gift of You, The Gift of Me," two other picture books that are also beacons of light for finding our way, and also both beautifully illustrated, as is "Stellaluna." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - Birds    4. Animals - General    5. Bats    6. Birds    7. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    8. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    9. Children: Grades 1-2    10. Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Preschool Picture Story Books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Birds   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (28)

Classic to cherish
I had this Babar book as a child and could not resist buying it for my daughter, and I am so happy that I did.This book is so incredible, the pictures and colors so vibrant and the text so incredibly addictive, that your child wil carry it with her forever.I know I have.I was stunned by how much of the dialogue and how many of the pictures I remembered.This book is a reasure that you and your children will share for years to come.Some people my comment about some of the themes, but as a child they went over my head, and as an adult, I recognized how tastefully done they are.Highest possible recommendation

Lovely story
This is such an awesome story.I can remember reading it when I was a child.My three-year-old son can't get enough of this book.Other reviewers have expressed concern with the sad parts of the story (Babar's mother killed and the elephant king dying,) but they didn't bother my son a bit.We just talked about what was happening and he was okay.This is a classic!

a classic tale to share with your children
I love Babar as much for the pictures as for the story.When I read it again to my daughter, I turned to the page where "Alas, that very day, the King of the elephants had eaten a bad mushroom" and thought wow, I remember that!The resurging memory of that illustration is so keen in my mind, it's as if twenty-plus years had just fallen away.And next comes my very favorite line, for its old-fashioned text and neatness of phrase:"It poisoned him and he became ill, so ill that he died.This was a great calamity."Which is not to say that the story of Babar dwells on sad things, because it doesn't.Whatever happens to Babar he deals with it with grace and moves on.Endlessly adaptable, this is an elephant who so charms the ladies that he woos and wins Celeste in just their brief drive home.The only sticking point for some parents who are encountering this book for the first time and therefore don't have their eyes all misting over with tender rememberances of their own childhood is that Babar is chosen to be the new king of the elephants because he is considered to have "learned so much living among men".If you are trying not to teach your children that humans are above and beyond all other animals, you may not want this subtle message.Overall, I think this book is wonderful and, at the end, when he and Celeste fly away in a hot air balloon to begin their honeymoon, it is clear that the story continues.This can be taken in the vein of allowing for endless opportunity of sequels but I prefer to think of it as the beginning of your child's opportunity to answer "what happens next" and regale you with their own series of stories about the adventures of Babar, the little elephant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Elephants    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Classics    7. Elephants    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

Reviews (55)

Super-Fabulous!
Way too expensive in the book stores, but buying like this. My daughter was so happy!

Falling Up
I remember the poems as a kid, and reading them again i remember why. they are funny and suitable for anyone adult or kid alike.

Whimsical
"Falling Up" by Shel Silverstein,
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Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Children's 9-12 - Poetry / Plays    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry    5. Children's poetry, American    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Humor - General    8. Humorous poetry    9. Poetry - Humorous    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Editorial Review

Verdi is a proud python, flourishing in the flower of his youth. He loves to swiftly slither around the forest, brandishing his bright yellow skin, and can't fathom why anyone would want to be sleepy and green like the adult snakes he knows. Verdi insists, as so many youngsters do, "I will never be lazy, boring or green!" Despite his resolve to stay young, one day he notices a patch of green spreading down the length of his body. Verdi does everything he can think of to erase this first sign of the inevitable tide of age. But in his frenzy of youthful, Icarus-like bravado, he nearly kills himself. Finally, Verdi learns that even though he can't stop the aging process, green skin won't keep him from being a fun-loving, young-at-heart, figure-eight-forming snake. Read more

Reviews (39)

verdi good!, but not stellaluna
My 7 1/2 yr old 2nd grade daughter & I read Stellaluna off her summer reading list.I had heard of/seen this book around, but it had never grabbed me.I was quite surprized at the fabulous illustrations, the story that draws you in, & the author's ability to make a bat lovable.I was eager to read Verdi, expecting the same experience.I thought the story was OK & the illustrations beautiful, but the story itself lacked depth to me.The young whippersnapper & wise old sage qualities hit me as being more relevant to an adult reader.Children can not adequately appreciate the age contrast, & how quickly time passes, & how we all become more boring & old than oiur young minds thought we would.Curiously, my daughter liked Verdi as well, if not better than Stellaluna.To each his own - read & see what you think.

excellent book!
This book not only has beautiful illustrations but also tells the tale of growing up from a child's perspective (well, a snake's...).Our three year old LOVES it!It also gives a glimpse into life in the tropics which for our Minnesota boy is exotic!Thumbs up!

verdi
I like this book because the color of the snake eyes.This is a fun book for all ages to read and enjoy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Old age    6. Pythons    7. Snakes    8. Social Issues - Adolescence    9. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Adolescence   

Editorial Review

One day, Kansas wakes up grumpy. The other 49 states are stretching, yawning, and pouring maple syrup onto each other's pancakes, but irritable Kansas announces to his kindly neighbor Nebraska that life is dull and changes Read more

Reviews (37)

This book has it all!
Rarely does a book combine learning and fun so well.This book is very educational (it has helped make my kids wild about geography) yet has a humor that is simple enough for my two year old to laugh and sophisticated enough to make me laugh as well.
Wonderful!
This book is great for kids of all ages!My 6 yr old has literally not put this book down since we bought it (he even sleeps with it!!).It is a great and fun way for kids to learn their US geography.

My nephew's absolute favorite book
My 8-year-old nephew Quinten kept checking this book out from the library so we finally just bought it for him.He absolutely loves it, has memorized all the facts about all the states except for the populations! It's a fun way to learn about our country and now we're talking about someday visiting all of the states together. ...