Editorial Review

It would seem a riddle worthy of the sphinx: how do you give children a sense of jazz music without playing a note? Chris Raschka answers loudly and clearly with the illustrated, syncopated Read more

Reviews (15)

You'll Want to read it over and over (more than your kids want you to...really)
I absolutely love the rhythm and flow of this book - it is my favorite of my daughter's library, and I happily read it over, and over, and over...of course by now I just recite it and she stares at the great illustrations. All ages love it - 4 months to 60 years. Thank you for a cool and intelligent board book!

A Mult-Tasking Teaching Tool
Chris Raschka has written a book that captures of the rythmn and essence of Charlie Parker's music.This is a wonderful way to help children learn the sounds of letters and how the sounds combine to make words.Perfect for emergent readers. Excellent read a loud for younger children.The illustrations alone could classify this as a perfect picture book.But, the unique style and content of the text make itan appropriate addition to thelibrary for any music teacher, art teacher, speech consultant, pre-school teacher or new parent.Its never too early to teach a child to read or cultivate an interest in jazz.

Charlie Parker gets his due (in a manner of speaking)
Chris Raschka refuses to be neatly cataloged, noted, and tucked away in a file somewhere.When this man writes a picture book you really get the feeling that he's put his spine and soul into it.I've had the mixed pleasure of reading a wide variety of Raschka titles in my day.There was the original if somewhat misguided "John Coltrane's Giant Steps", the ridiculously simple but fun "Yo! Yes?", and that remarkable and odd, "The Genie In the Jar".If there's one connecting thread between his various works, it's probably rooted in Raschka's deep and abiding love of music.He's the only picture book artist I can think of that's introduced kids to everyone from Thelonious Monk to (amazing but true) Nina Simone.For the first time, however, I've found a Raschka book that I could fall head over heels in love with.Usually I respect the man's work without ever really enjoying his books, if that makes any sense.With "Charlie Parker Played Be Bop", however, I think Raschka's really tapped into something amazing.
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Subjects:  1. 1920-1955    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    4. Biography & Autobiography - Music    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    7. Jazz    8. Jazz musicians    9. Juvenile literature    10. Music - Jazz    11. Musicians    12. Parker, Charlie,    13. United States    14. Parker, Charlie   

Editorial Review

As all the birds agree at the end of this pretty bilingual picture book, "You can't tell much about a bird by looking at its feathers." ("No se puede juzgar a un pájaro por su plumaje.") Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautifully illustrated and told
My four-year-old daughter loves this book.She asks for it over and over.Tonight I even caught her looking at it under her night light.She doesn't want to return it to the public library tomorrow so I quess I'll be ordering our own copy soon.The story is beautifully illustrated with bold lines and attractive bright colors.And it is just as beautifully told in simple yet well wrought lines.

Cuckoo: A Multicultural Book
Cuckoo is a beautiful, but lazy bird.The owl, doves, and even the rooster get tired of Cuckoo flying around and singing beautiful songs all day.They complain she never does her share of the work!That is, until one day Cuckoo notices a field fire about to ruin the season's crop they had just worked so hard to plant.Cuckoo's apparent bravery is shown when she saves the seeds by carrying them to the mole's hole.This also demonstrates her willingness to put others' needs before her own beauty.Children of all ages will love the moral of this endearing story: "You can't tell much about a bird by looking at its feathers."This beautifully, brightly, authentically illustrated story is adapted from a Mayan Indian tale from Mexico.The bilingual text adds appeal to children of other cultures, or children wanting to learn the Spanish language. The front cover includes authentic drawings of ornaments with the Spanish/English vocabulary that is presented throughout the book.With the combination of bright illustrations that shine like the sun, a good moral ending showing bravery of the main character, and the bilingual text, young readers aren't likely to forget Cuckoo.

Beauty is Within
Cuckoo is a very beautiful bird with a gorgeous voice.The problem is she is extremely vain.Cuckoo does not help the other birds gather seeds for food.One day there is a fire, and Cuckoo is the only one awake.Cuckoosalvages all of the villages seeds by storing them in a mole hole.Thesoot from the fire has caused her feathers to turn black.When everyonerecognizes Cuckoo and what she has done they are all very proud of her andforgiving for her selfish past.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Country/Ethnic-General    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    5. Folklore    6. General    7. Indians of Mexico    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mayas    10. Mexico    11. Spanish: Grades 2-3    12. Tales    13. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Editorial Review

In the awfully silly Read more

Reviews (15)

Hilarious Book
I loved this book! It is a great book with a fun twist to the original I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly! This book is great for kids and adults!!!

Kids love getting fat!
I'm a music teacher for grades K-3. Never have I seen kids react so intensely to a sing-along book as they did for all the "I Know an Old Lady..." books. This one especially sparks kids' minds and brings so many other subjects into play. Kids like talking about Thanksgiving as it's one of the few holidays both kids and teachers openly celebrate. This book brought about questions of traditional food and activites as well as the health repercussions of stuffing ourselves. In the end, kindergarten through third grade eyes will sparkle to see the Old Lady grow into a balloon!

Great Story
I've only read the reviews of this book and it sounds great! I'm actually too old to be reading these kinds of stories but I just love how the old ladies in the "who swallowed a..." books get fatter and fatter. If only I could actually read the book. Gotta work on getting this book and some of the other related books! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Food    6. General    7. Holidays & Celebrations - Thanksgiving    8. Holidays & Festivals - Thanksgiving    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Thanksgiving Day    13. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / General   

Reviews (2)

Children Learn Diversity
Mouse Match is a great tool for learning about diversity.The openness of Mama and Papa Mouse to their daughter marrying even another animal race speaks volumes to children who only determine differences between races (as well as species) by their appearance.Those children become more open andtolerant of people of different race, ethnicity, religion, and creed--anessential social skill to success in the world of today and tomorrow.

Great book - in chinese and english, beautiful illustrations
This childrens book is a delight for children or adults.The story reads two directions;one way in Chinese and the other in English. Great gift! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. China    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Asian    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    6. Folklore   

Editorial Review

Mr. Lunch, the ingenuous canine protagonist of Read more

Reviews (8)

Mr. Lunch's Wild Ride!
Just in case you're new to this whacked-out series, the San Francisco-based team of Seibold and Walsh open with a few relevant facts in a opening page right out of Disney's Toon Town, or Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland." (The page, like much of the book features about a dozen flat colors, optical effects, and a font called "arbitrary bold."Here's the opener:
Story needs work
I love the illustration style - however, the story of this book is overly long and really not so interesting.My son won't stay by my side to listen to me read all the text in the book; I have to edit the book myself for him to be interested at all.I think the Seibolds' have produced better books (like the Olive stories, or the first Mr. Lunck book) and would reccommend those before FREE LUNCH.

A Very Funny Book
My nephew loves Mr. Lunch, and so do I.We were very distressed to see our hero victimized by the machinations of a very, very bad elephant in this installment.However, we know that Lunch will always prevail -- with a little help from Ambrose, of course. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Birds    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Dogs    6. Elephants    7. Fiction    8. General   

Editorial Review

In 1225, Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)--Italian founder of the Franciscan order of monks and a notorious nature lover--wrote "The Canticle of the Sun," an incantatory hymn of praise for all creation. Poet Reeve Lindbergh--daughter of aviator Charles Lindbergh and poet Anne Morrow Lindbergh--has gently respun part of this work in the stunning picture book Read more

Reviews (6)

Beautiful, lyrical, with depth...
This is one of my children's favorite books: the illustrations are gorgeous, the words lovely, the thought profound and cathartic. It's not your "thanks for my swingset and new toys" sort of prayer, but one that takes into account the cycle of day and night, the elements, the earth, the prey and the hunter, life and death. A baby appreciates the sounds and warmth of color; a child the unblinking address of those things which really matter.

celebrating the beauty of nature and all creatures on Earth
The editorial review explains a lot so I won't duplicate that content. Yes, this is a thanks to the Lord for all the creatures on the Earth, and the Earth itself. For those that have not yet read it, I want to tell you that it is not overly religious but instead is more of communicating the wonder and beauty of nature and our world. This would definitely appeal to environmentalists, one example being that one passage states the hunter and the hunted are "both the same" rather than the usual Catholic-religion idea that man rules over nature. The text rhymes and so has a singsong quality that children love. The book is large format with most pages having a large illustration spread across both pages. I love that on most of these pages there are 5-6 little cubes on the bottom with smaller illustrations that correspond very closely to the text. One example is "praise for brothers wind and air, serene or cloudy, foul or fair" the small illustrations are a windmill, a weathervane, a sailboat on white-capped waves, a boy holding a balloon in windy weather, clothes drying on the clothesline in the breeze, and a kite flying. I love these illustrations as they give the parent more to talk about and to teach new words (weathervane was one that my 3 year-old had not yet learned). This book is unlike most that are available. People are shown in many different skin tones and some are very obviously from non-American countries (India, Africa). The collage type illustrations are lovely and this illustration method is not commonly seen.

A glorious celebration of ALL Creation...
'Nuff said in the earlier reviews about the text portion...so on to the illustrations:Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. English    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Nature    8. Nature & the Natural World - General    9. Prayer books and devotions    10. Prayer-books and devotions    11. Religious - General    12. Religious aspects    13. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Editorial Review

Imagine the excitement of rooting around in an old attic and discovering the letters, diaries, and photo albums of a relative. What if that memorabilia opened a window on the sinking of the Read more

Reviews (20)

Book still not here after a month!
Amazon asked me to review this book, which is funny, considering I still haven't received the copy I ordered more than a month ago!If you really want this book, you might try getting it elsewhere.

Great Book
I found this book to be a wonderful book that takes you into the world of a passenger on the Titanic and his journey through the disaster.It was a wonderful book with great illustrations that really helped my students look into the events of the Titanic.

polar the titanic bear
the name of this book is polar the titanic bear.It was a very,very good book. IT IS A TRUE STORY.I is about a stuffed bear that is "alive" and has a very good connection with his master.His master's family was a very rich family,so they traveled alot.The two were on the titanic,& this book has real pictures of the titanic & his family.(masters family) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - History - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Other    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Ocean liners    8. Shipwrecks    9. Teddy bears    10. Titanic (Steamship)    11. Transportation - Boats, Ships & Underwater Craft    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Other    13. Spedden, Douglas   

Editorial Review

Treehorn is clearly shrinking, and his parents aren't the least bit interested. His mother is obsessed with whether or not her cake will rise. His father, at one point addressing a son who can barely see over the table, states blindly, "Nobody shrinks." Treehorn doesn't seem all that bothered that his clothes are hanging over his extremities; he just feels someone should know.But the adults he tries to notify brush off his claim as either a ploy for attention or downright bad behavior.Read more

Reviews (9)

Clever, engaging text and Edward Gorey!
The big point here is about adult distractability. Treehorn is shrinking and his parents and teachers are mostly concerned with what this might mean to them, after they are forced to notice his condition.The subtlety of this may not register with little kids but they'll love the fun idea of a kid shrinking and having to cope and the drawings by Gorey are funny and wonderful.(If you are familiar with the opening titles on the PBS series Mystery you know Gorey).Intelligent little kids will love this book, which is a little more complex than things aimed at them these days.Intelligent adults will love reading it them. (The speech by the smarmy principal is classic.)Get this book and keep it.If you've read this review this far you are the right audience for it.

Do you REALLY Listen to Your Kids?
Treehorn's parents are so wrapped up in their own problems that they don't notice Treehorn is shrinking, Neither do any of the other adults. This speaks to the sad fact that many kids feel they are invisible to grown-ups. However, the book is lighthearted and fun, with terrific illustrations. One you will remember for a long time.

Hilarious for both children and adults
Having found this book on a recomendation list by a German (!) literature professor, I ordered it not knowing it is a classic. the sense of humour, though sometimes lost on younger children, is wonderful, actually reminding me of the British sense of humour. I can only advise all adults to read this book, it's an eyeopener to our communication skills. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Short Stories   

Editorial Review

Uncle Theodore is huffing, Aunt Figgy is fretting, and Alice Jayne is tapping her foot--pretty subdued behavior considering the fact that a hungry crocodile has just appeared under the Christmas tree. This eccentric family handles the mysterious reptile remarkably well, even though the beast seems to have an appetite as fierce as its legendary bite. The Christmas Crocodile tears around the house eating everything in sight, whether edible (a roast, five golden oranges, a pineapple upside-down cake) or inedible (a shoe, ribbons, a feather boa, earmuffs, and fruitcake). The family is divided over how to best deal with this unexpected guest. Send him to an orphanage? Pack him off to the zoo? Make him into a pair of shoes? "He's nice," said Alice Jayne. "Maybe we could keep him." Just when it seems the crocodile has eaten all he can stomach, the family awakens to discover that he has consumed nearly all the presents and the Christmas tree too! The one uneaten gift holds the key to this toothsome tale, as well as a surprise that will have kids smiting their foreheads in gleeful anticipation of more mayhem to come.Read more

Reviews (7)

Our latest Christmas favorite!
My kids and I all love this book! The text and the illustrations perfectly complement each other, giving the story an old-fashioned feel and lots of humor. The quirky family members are a treasure. I highly recommend this fun story!

Terrific new holiday tradition!
Start a new holiday tradition by reading the Christmas Crocodile with your family. You'll laugh at the crazy antics of the eccentric family members and the crocodile who "didn't mean to be bad." This book is a winner from beginning to end and the illustrations capture the hilarity perfectly!

The perfect Christmas present!
Crocodiles do not conjure up images of a well-behaved pet!Alice Jayne sure tries to convince her eccentric family to keep a "puppyeyed" crocodile she finds under the Christmas tree.Our sympathyimmediately goes out to the Christmas Crocodile who really "didn'tmean to be bad."He sure gets into trouble in this book.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Christmas    5. Crocodiles    6. Fiction    7. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    8. Holidays & Festivals - Christmas    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas   

Reviews (12)

I have a dream too
That one day 4 year olds will be able to actually read this book.
The Best Ever and After.
� I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of creed�.That all men are created equal�.Most of you have probably heard of this speech from many of Martin Luther King Jr. books, and probably have heard the amazing story a million times. But hearing what his wife has to say about all of the changes and differences that he has done is like having a big serving of your favorite food. If you like poetry or bubble bursting stories you�ll adore this book. She tells you a variety of things from sad, bad, and, exiting things. Also on top of all of that the pictures are wonderful and they tell a lot of what has to do with the passage. This book will lift you from your seat and you�ll never know, because this book will take you away. I don�t care who you are but this book is for you so get it, its waiting! I cry every time I read it
I used to read this to my kids when I was a children's librarian in an African-American school in Detroit, and they loved it.It has such amazing, beautiful pictures- you can't really understand their beauty until you see the book in front of you.And of course, the speech is incredibly moving.Here is the full text of the speech, but since there isn't too much on each page, and there is such beautiful artwork to enjoy, even 4th graders could sit there in awe at what was read to them, and what was shown them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African Americans    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Civil rights    7. Civil rights movements    8. General    9. History    10. United States    11. Human rights    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Ethnic / African-American    13. Other prose: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (2)

Baboon Butts and More!
In one word, wow!I purchased this book in the hopes of finding a good children's book, but boy was I surprised when I found a collection of lovely paintings, drawings, and pressed art made from the hind quarters of various baboon species.What a find! A book about baboons?
Baboons? Who want this kind of book? Weren't they ugliest monkeys?Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Baboons    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. Perception    7. Social Issues - New Experience    8. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

Editorial Review

Zeesie has a problem--she doesn't want to visit her grandparents on Eldridge Street. Her teeny-tiny grandmother, Bubbeh Ruchel, is nothing to worry about, but Zaydeh Avrum is another story. Zaydeh ("grandfather" in Yiddish) is stern and stooped-over, and complains that "children bring in dirt and make noise." But since her mother is having a baby, Zeesie has no choice but to make the trip. When she arrives, Zaydeh impatiently quizzes Zeesie about what holiday it is and why it is important to the Jewish religion. Zeesie becomes more intimidated than ever when she learns it's Simchas Torah, and that Zaydeh expects her to attend a celebration at the synagogue with him. Read more

Reviews (4)

Absolutely charming story, rich in Jewish culture.
It's a wonderful book, heartfelt and fascinating. The illustrations, too, are delightful. Highly recommended!

An extraordinarily wise, tender and engrossing book
Elsa Okon Rael is making a true place for herself in young children'sliterature. Both this book and her earlier Zeesie story evoke a time inimmigrant history, but more, bring to life a very real little girl amid herloving family. There is no better gift for a grandmother to give hergrandchild or one that will be reread so often.

Delightful!
This book captures you quickly and holds you the length of the story.Ifound the story enlightening as it explained one of the Jewish holidayswith reverence and warmth.A wonderful book for younger children of anyreligion! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Ethnic - General    4. Ethnic - Other    5. Fiction    6. Grandfathers    7. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Religious    8. Holidays & Festivals - Jewish    9. Jews    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. People & Places - United States - Other    12. Religious - Jewish    13. United States    14. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Other   

Reviews (5)

Delightful!
This book is a fast favorite at our house.The verse itself is very similar to Dr. Seuss -- lots of license with words and a bouncy rhyme.The pictures are lovely.
Our family LOVES this book
My husband made up a song to go with the words - this is one of our family's favorites!A very sing-songy read with made up words and a short but sweet narrative.Get this book and try to make up a tune to go with the poetry.This is not a counting book.If you like imagination and poetry, you'll love this.

Quite boring.
This book is neither interesting for my kids or for me. I thought it would make counting fun. But it doesn't. This book is quite dull. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Preschool    3. General   

Editorial Review

"See the piggy, / See the puddle, / See the muddy little puddle. / See the piggy in the middle / Of the muddy little puddle. / See her dawdle, see her diddle / In the muddy, muddy middle. / See her waddle, plump and little, / In the very merry middle." So begins Charlotte Pomerantz's irresistibly catchy verse story Read more

Reviews (18)

Teacher's Grade: A+
This is one of the best picture books I've ever read aloud.The combination of Charlotte Pomerantz's whimsical verse, and James Marshall's watercolor illustrations work very well together, creating a book that is captivating, humorous, and pure delight from start to finish.
Wonderfully engaging for the smallest ones
My 2.5 year old twins love the book and the 5 year old still does (I began reading it to her when she was 3).Very well written and clever.A fun book to read over and over again (although you must do the voices)

The second time around
My oldest daughter is 18 now and this was her absolute favorite book as a little girl. If she was having a bad day I could start reading this story and she would be all giggles and grins. We lost our original copy years ago and I am ordering this book for my younger children, ages 5 and 9.My teenager wants to be the first one to read it to them because the book was so special to her! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Mud    6. Pigs    7. Stories in rhyme    8. Early learning / early learning concepts    9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs    10. Juvenile fiction   

Editorial Review

Sometimes you read a story and it almost seems too nice. This book may seem to be one of those at first, but the difference is that this story is true! Read more

Reviews (6)

Pleasant Book
Tomas' character is based on Tomas Rivera, a man whose life from migrant worker to university chancellor was helped along by an Iowan librarian he knew as a child. In this heartwarming tale, Tomas is presented as a shy, awkward child who is made to feel welcome in the public library. As Tomas reads stories of dinosaurs, tigers, and the Wild West, he forgets his difficult life. He even teaches the librarian some Spanish words, which he discovers is something he enjoys - enough to make a career in education.
beautiful story
What a wonderful book! Public libraries -- and librarians -- portrayed as casually welcoming and friendly. Too often we still see the stereotype of the mean-spirited and repressed librarian! I will confess that I have had the misfortune of knowing a few of those in my career. But the majority of library workers are kind, thoughtful, and outgoing people who are eager to share the gift of literacy with everyone who walks through the door. I will treasure this book all the more because it is a true story.

A Hearwarming, True Story.....
"It was midnight.The light of the full moon followed the tired old car.Tomas was tired too.Hot and tired.He missed his own bed, in his own house in Texas.Tomas was on his way to Iowa again with his family..."Tomas' family were migrant workers.As his parents toiled in the fields during the day picking corn in the hot Iowa sun, Tomas and his brother, Enrique, tried to stay cool under the shade of trees, listening to the old stories told by their grandfather, Papa Grande."Tomas, you know all my stories, " he said."There are many more in the library.You are big enough to go by youself.Then you can teach us new stories."The library was large and cool, and had more books than Tomas had ever imagined.But more importantly, the librarian was very kind and took the young boyunder her wing.And with her help, opens up a whole new world for Tomas; the love of books and learning.....Based on the story of Tomas Rivera, a migrant worker who grew up to become an educator and eventually chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, Tomas And The Library Lady is a heartwarming and inspiring story.Pat Mora's sweet, simple, and quiet text is complemented by Raul Colon's gentle and evocative illustrations and together word and art detail the joys of reading, and the wonderful impact one person can have on a young life.Perfect for children 4-8, Ms Mora includes a short biography of Tomas Rivera at the end to complete the story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biographical - General    2. Books and reading    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. Libraries    7. Mexican Americans    8. Migrant labor    9. School & Education    10. Juvenile Fiction / Biographical / General    11. Picture books    12. True stories   

Editorial Review

Fluffy, Skinny, and Boris tag along with Mama Cat all day long.Actually, Boris just naps. He snoozes while the others wash their paws, walk the stone wall, sharpen their claws, chase leaves, and engage in other fundamentally feline pastimes. But when the others curl up to nap, Boris stretches, yawns, and comes to life! Denise Fleming, creator of

Reviews (7)

Three little kittens sans mittens
I feel that I owe author/illustrator Denise Fleming an apology.Ahem.Dear Ms. Fleming - please forgive me for confusing you, each and every time I see a picture book of yours, with fellow children's author Lois Ehlert.I know that you and Ms. Ehlert may have much in common (your audience, your colors, etc.) but that does not mean that I should assume that you write with the same doleful tone as she has utlized in her many works.In fact, your books are almost always surprisingly funny (a fact I am repeatedly shocked by again and again and again).I understand that this is entirely my own fault but I sincerely hope that as time goes on, I will outgrow this childish (ho ho!) response to your books and recognize you immediately as the truly enjoyable author that you really are.Sincerely - a most loyal if absentminded fan.
MAMA CAT
A simple yet cute book showcasing the daily lives of a mother cat and her three little kittens.
Great book to help a beginning reader BEGIN to READ!
Last library visit my daughter chose MAMA CAT HAS THREE KITTENS.One night recently she came to me and said, "Mommy, I want to read you this book."I remember thinking this would be cute because she'd never said that to me before. Opening the book and pointing to the words she READ the book to me! I couldn't believe it.I had only read it to her maybe five times.I called for Daddy to come, ran to get the camcorder and recorded her reading it again.Later, he said he had read it to her some too. Still, she WOWED me. Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal babies    2. Animals    3. Animals - Cats    4. Animals - General    5. Cats    6. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    7. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    8. Children: Preschool    9. Fiction    10. General    11. Infancy    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Imagine all the happiness and wealth you could achieve if you found a magic pebble that granted your every wish! Sylvester Duncan, an unassuming donkey who collects pebbles "of unusual shape and color," experiences just such a lucky find. But before he can make all his wishes come true, the young donkey unexpectedly encounters a mean-looking lion. Startled, Sylvester wishes he were a rock, but in mineral form he can no longer hold the pebble, and thus cannot wish himself back to his equine trappings. His parents, thinking he has disappeared, are at first frantic, then miserable, and then plunge into donkey ennui. Meanwhile, Sylvester is gravely depressed, but tries to get used to being a rock.Read more

Reviews (40)

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
This is a story that is as fresh today as it was when it was orginally written. It encourages make believe, yet allows for a feeling of security through the need for others.

aclassic children's story

Magic, Unintended Consequences, and When All Seems Lost, a Happy Ending

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Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Classics    5. Donkeys    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    9. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (6)

Beautiful writing and illustrations!
We used this book in a university class I am taking called children's literature. I was amazed at the quality and the brillance of the writing, it is remarkable. The language is so vivid and beautiful, that it could be out of a literary novel. The illustrations are equally as beautiful and the storyline is very well thought out and original.

"My Life With the Wave" is extraordinarily imaginative
I love books that begin with a fanciful, "what-if" premise. In this case, what if a sliver of the sea -- a wave -- followed a family home from the beach like a stray animal? The illustrations, humorous in a borderline-grotesque way, capture the muscular spirit of this fantasy. I need not convince my children to read this story again and again, and they need not waste time coaxing me. I love it because it permits every reader to imagine the delightfully surreal.

What happens when a boy bring home a wave from the ocean?
Kids are always bringing things home from the beach, but you have probably never seen a kid who brings home a stray wave."My Life with the Wave" is based on the story by Octavio Paz, the Nobel Prize winning author from Mexico.At first the boy finds it is great fun to have a wave in the house; the sun comes to play with it and there are fish adorning the wave's hair.But waves are affected by the moon and the sun, and the boy discovers that the wave can get very moody at times.How do you get a wave to go back to the sea?This charming and imaginative tale has been translated and adapted for children by Catherine Cowan and illustrated by Mark Buehner, who has skillfully hidden a cat, a dog, a mouse, a whale and a sea horse in almost every picture (just to drive us even more crazy, I imagine).The best thing about this book is that no matter how much you kids are inspired, they will never, ever be able to bring home anything like a wave.At least, I certainly hope not. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Family - General    5. Fiction    6. Friendship    7. Ocean    8. Ocean waves    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Social Issues - Friendship    11. Social Situations - Friendship    12. Waves    13. Fantasy    14. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship