Editorial Review

In all Mildred D. Taylor's unforgettable novels she recounts "not onlythe joy of growing up in a large and supportive family, but my own feelings ofbeing faced with segregation and bigotry." Her Newbery Medal-winning Read more

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• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (432)

Confusion
I never quite understood why everyone seemed to love this book so much. I read it, along with my entire grade, in seventh grade, and found the book to be annoying. I was especially annoyed by flawed characters, and a not very impressive writing style.
Very disappointed...
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor was a very disappointing book. There is no particular story; the book starts rising action here and there and down again here and there. There is no specific climax. Basically, it's like there's no story. What I also hated about this book was the ending and the fact that there was no moral in the story. The book was full of cliches from every chaper by chaper. Each chapter was too long( this is not a dumb complaint). Instead of just starting a new chapter, Taylor just skips a line to basically start a new chapter. I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense to you.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Searching for a book to read that Beautifully Infiltrates...Gracefully Relates...Lovingly Displays...Proudly Annunciates...then Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry is the answer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Audiobooks    4. Children's Audio - 9-12    5. Children's audiobooks    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    12. Social Situations - Prejudice & Racism    13. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (7)

Wonderful!
This version of Homer's Odyssey is captivating! Odds Bodkins is a storyteller extraordinnaire and this CD is no exception. It's a wonderful way to introduce children to The Odyssey - kids will listen to this from start to finish to hear what's in store for the characters next. Bodkins' is the sole voice on this recording, along with various musical instruments - my entire family found him to be amazing.
Great story!
This is fantastic telling of Homer's Odyssey.Bodkin regales us of Homer's adventures, beginning with a scene inside the wooden horse of Troy, through confronting the Cyclops, battles with cannibals, and his long awaited return to Ithaca.Bodkin gives each character a distinct voice and develops moods and transitions with his guitar in the background.The changes in voices are so intricate that when I first listened to the tape, I thought Bodkin had put the recording together by blending several independently recorded tracks.But if you listen closely, you can hear coughs in the background, evidence that this was a recording of a live performance, and Bodkin managed to create all of the rich sounds found on the tape while reciting in front of a live audience. Hear the Odyssey
Your English teacher was wrong: Homer did not write the Odyssey. He sang it. Actually, scholars are still debating whether the blind mythic poet called Homer ever existed at all, but they do generally agree on two things: the Odyssey is one of the greatest stories surviving from Graecian antiquity, and it was originally meant to be sung, not read. Ancient bards, called rhapsodists, wandered through the hoods of ancient Greece, chanting their stories to all who would listen. Hundreds of generations later, we're still listening. Just two months ago, I listened to Odds Bodkin's rendition of the 2500-year epic on my car CD-player. Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's Audio - 9-12    3. Classics    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Short Stories    6. Fiction   

Reviews (3)

Wee Sing Dinosaurs
Comes with a book of the songs, a cd & cassette.My oldest grandson had the original cassette when he was 3 or 4 years old.He loved it.He is now 17.
Lots of fun for a dino lover
We bought this tape for my dino-loving son.It's lots of fun to listen to in the car.Has songs about most breeds of dinosaurs including his favorites - deinonychus (with his terrible claw) and pteradactyl.I even enjoy it (after the 1,000 playing)

An all-time favorite of my 2.5 year old
This is the 2nd copy of this that we'll own since we wore out the first one from playing it so often. My son (age 2.5) won't sit in the car unless he can hear his "dinosaur songs." And he's learned a lot aboutdinosaurs and other things while he listens to it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. General    5. Interactive Adventure    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Reviews (3)

A lullaby of Byrdland
I first heard about the picture book, "Turn! Turn! Turn!" back in 2003 when I joined a mighty small and unofficial gathering of St. Paul/Minneapolis children's book enthusiasts for a mock Caldecott discussion.We were going to decide which books were most worthy of the Caldecott that year (though the obvious winner, "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" swept it).One of those potential winners was a fairly interesting adaptation of what I had only ever known to be a Byrds song.Though credited in large part to Pete Seeger, no stranger to picture books himself, the words are originally from Ecclesiastes.Mr. Seeger gave them to a tune in 1961 and from there the Byrds turned it into a hit.Now it's a book for kids.In my experience, making a kid's book out of a 1960's song is usually a dangerous practice.Take a gander at, "At the Zoo" by Paul Simon if you don't believe me.In this particular case, illustrator Wendy Anderson Halperin has given the design of the book an original feel.The result is a book that works far more often than it falls flat.
Wonderful book and CD set
This book's text is the famous song based on the verses from Ecclesiastes.The illustrations are full of interesting things to explore in repeated readings. There is a page at the end of the book that tells Seeger's story of how he wrote the song and how it was first recorded.The compact disc is a delight--it has Seeger's very simple, self-accompanied banjo rendition performed in concert, followed by the Byrd's rock rendition.I bought this for our Lutheran church library and I know the kids will enjoy it.My husband, a Jewish baby-boomer also got a big kick out of the compact disc.Enjoy!

2003 Notable Book,Association of Jewish Libraries!
This title was declared a 2003 Notable Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries!Almost 200 children's books of Judaic content were reviewed during the year to find the best of the bunch.Find out more at www.jewishlibraries.org. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children's songs    4. Folk songs    5. Folk songs, English    6. Juvenile Music    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Music - Popular    9. Music - Songbooks    10. Religion - Bible - General    11. Songs    12. United States    13. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (55)

Twisting book that can probbably hurt the mind
This book was very interesting, however it had too many things going on at once. It was hard for me to follow. It had a lot of action, but it was confusing and hard to follow. I like the red king series, but this was the worst of the five. Plus, it was a total Harry Potter wannabe. If you liked this book, the GREAT! Go pick up a harry potter book instead. You'll like it 10x as much. Trust me.

Through The Years
The problems at Bloor Academy intensify for young Charlie Bone in this second adventure.Poor Henry Yewbeam, actually Charlie's great-granduncle, goes missing from the year 1916 and turns up in the present.Charlie discovers his distant relative and the powerful Time Twister that allowed him to make his incredible journey.Unfortunately, it doesn't take long before Manfred Bloor, his father, and grandfather pick up the trail.Things get very complicated as Charlie keeps losing Henry while trying to figure out the riddle of the Time Twister.
Great Adventure!
This book by Jenny Nimmo is a very interesting one.It takes place in the Bloor's Academy, which is for talented boys like Henry and Charlie Bone.Henry gets time twisted by the magic marble of his cousin Zeke and appears more than ninety years later in the Academy.Zeke who is the director of the Academy ones to kill him because Henry was always better than him.Henry appears as he left in the past (14 years old) and Zeke is old.Charlie Bone tries to help Henry get back to the time he came from and with the help of his friends and his magic, he takes Henry back to his brother James.Once you start reading this book you can stop.Really good book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Audio - Children's    4. Audio: Juvenile    5. Children's Audio - 9-12    6. Children's audiobooks    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Magic    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Time travel    13. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Surely among the most lovable of all Dr. Seuss creations, Horton the Elephant represents kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance--all wrapped up, thank goodness, in a comical and even absurd package. Horton hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and spends much of the book trying to protect the infinitesimal creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals, who think their elephant friend has gone quite nutty. But worse is in store: an eagle carries away the clover in which Horton has placed the life-bearing speck, and "let that small clover drop somewhere inside / of a great patch of clovers a hundred miles wide!" Horton wins in the end, after persuading the "Who's" to make as much noise as possible and prove their existence. This classic is not only fun, but a great way to introduce thoughtful children to essentially philosophical questions.How, after all, are we so sure there aren't invisible civilizations floating by on every mote? (Ages 4 to 8) Read more

Reviews (41)

Violent -- age range?
What age range is the book appropriate for?
Great Children's Book
It's a lovely story about Horton the elephant who saves a tiny planet that lives in a speck of dust.Very cute story.

Not a movie at all
Very disappointing version of this story.I was hoping to see the actual Horton, animation and all and this was a page turner with a voice attached.Not what I was expecting at all.Don't bother. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's Audio - 9-12    4. Classics    5. Fantasy    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Specimens    8. Stories in rhyme    9. Talking books for children    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Diagnosis    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Reference    6. Test Preparation & Review    7. Ultrasonography    8. Cardiovascular medicine    9. Medical / Internal Medicine    10. Respiratory medicine   

Editorial Review

As Louise Erdrich's magical novel Read more

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (13)

Oh, Deer Me
I have admired Erdrich's writing in the past---"Tracks" and "The Beet Queen"--so I was looking forward to reading another of her novels.I must say I was disappointed here.Though Erdrich, like N. Scott Momaday, has a highly poetical style and her pages are filled with beautiful images (which is certainly a positive characteristic), a novel after all needs to have a strong story line or a point.Beautiful sentences and poetic expressions do not make a story, even if spiced with magical realism, sex, recipes, and colorful beads.As a literary testimony to a section of Native American experience, THE ANTELOPE WIFE has great merit.But as a novel, in the company of all the novels of the world, I felt that in this case, Erdrich tried to stretch out her career and write the next book though her heart was not in it.Perhaps it was a bad time in her life.The novel felt to me as one written by a person "trying to be literary".She writes of the mixed and intertwined fates of all those people of the Anishinabe world---Indians, whites, men, women, strong and weak---like beads on a string. The Indians come out holding the short stick.Within this framework, individuals play out their fates, violence and love intermingling with mystery and mundane existence.The characters somehow do not rise above their initial characterizations.The women are stronger than the men for the most part: they endure while the men often fall into alcohol and despair.The author writes in graceful style, but not much depth.I felt---at the risk of sounding snotty---that THE ANTELOPE WIFE belongs more in the category of `chick-lit' than in `American literature'.I once read part of a novel by Amy Tan, but could not finish for similar reasons.I did read THE ANTELOPE WIFE in its entirety, because Erdrich's writing differs favorably from most other authors', but I grew tired of the soap opera quality of this story.
Broken Whiteheart
This is only the second book by Ms. Erdrich that I have read and the first was a collaberation with Michael Dorris. For me, this book came off as very bizarre (a man breastfeeding a baby) and depressing (betrayal, loneliness and death). But the thin line between love and hate running through the book is compelling. And I enjoy how Louise writes in the POV or about particular characters. She did it in Crown of Columbus and she does it here. I find myself "becoming" her characters as I read each chapter. And the use of the Okijbwa language peaks my curiosity into the culture and lifestyle of these people. I can't rave about the novel because it was so unsettling. But I did enjoy it. She is a talented writer and I can't wait to read her other books.

The power of love
Lousie Erdrich's writing wraps the reader in intricate strands of symbolism, characters and shifting time and place.Stories are woven, questions are raised and as time passes answered.The strands begin to straighten out and make sense.Re-reading the book to get it all straight is a treat and a gift.I will gladly settle intoErdrich's writing over authors who leave no question marks or connections to ponder any day.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Fiction/General    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Audiobooks    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Ojibwa Indians    7. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

The 26 characters in this rhythmic, rhyming baby book are a lowercase alphabet with attitude. "A told b, and b told c, 'I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree'"--which probably seemed like a good idea until the other 23 members of the gang decided to follow suit. Lois Ehlert's chunky block illustrations show the luxuriant green palm standing straight and tall on the first page, but it begins to groan and bend under its alphabetical burden. First the coconuts fall off, then ("Chicka chicka...BOOM! BOOM!") all the letters also end up in a big heap underneath. A very simple board-book version stops there, but this original text goes on to introduce the helping hands of the 26 uppercase "mamas and papas and uncles and aunts." (Baby to preschool) Read more

Reviews (125)

Fun and Educational
I read this to my preschoolers almost everyday.They call it the Coconut Book.They're learning the alphabet, identifying letters, andbuilding their vocabulary.

A must have book
I first read this to my son when he was one and a half months old.He smiled and (almost) laughed, he liked it so much.Amazing that a book can do that to a child at that age.He still loves it, and you'll be amazed how quickly you learn to recite it by memory.It comes in handy all the time -- waiting in the doctor's office, riding in the car, anytime he starts to fuss.And it doesn't matter if I don't even have the book around -- I just say it and the words capture his attention.Excellent.

Thank you
THank you for the book.It arrived very fast and I can't wait to use it in my class. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Concepts - Alphabet    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Specimens    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Talking books for children    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Features

• Unabridged
• Unabridged

Reviews (67)

This is the book that got me reading fantasy.
I read this book shortly after it came out.I just fell in love with fantasy after that.
They read it again and again.
This is a book that has become a family classic.It started with my daughters.They loved it and read it over and over.One tells me she still has her book and can hardly wait to introduce her daughter to the book.I ordered a new copy for my oldest grandson and he liked as much as the girls did.He then read it to his younger brother.A few days later I peeped into their room and found the youngest with big brothers book and he was reading it for himself.A book that keeps them reading has to be a great book.

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
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Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's Audio - 9-12    3. Classics    4. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    5. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    6. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (5)

Not bad, but probably best as a supplement
I guess it depends on what your goal is and whether you have studied a foreign language before.I've studied Italian, German and Greek and have managed some level of proficiency in all of them.By this time, I have come to know what I like in a language course and what is most useful.I think this particular course is probably best utilized as a supplement.I've been listening to it a few times a week for a couple of months.I'm not sure whether I've really learned anything I didn't already know.(French is similar to Italian, so I have a head start on the language.)At the beginning of a language study, I do think you should acquire an idea of how regular verbs are conjugated in the present tense and I can't say that I'm really getting that.I'd like to hear a verb phrase in all persons and numbers, like "I'm going to the store, you're going to the store, she's going to the store, we're going to the store, etc."Then I'd like a tape that would give me all the most useful phrases I'll need, like "I'd like room for two nights" or "a glass of red wine, please."I think I could get more out of a tape that simply gave the phrase in French and then repeated it in English, rather than have a whole little scenario, as this course does.However, the value of the little scenarios is that they give a good idea of what a typical conversation about a certain subject may be like.This way one can get a pretty good idea of the questions he may be asked and get some practice in recognizing them when he hears them.(I know from experience that there's nothing more embarrassing than asking a question in a foreign language and then not being able to understand the reply.)With that goal, I think this little course could be a valuable supplement, but I would not recommend it as the primary learning tool.If I had a time limit to learn French, I would have moved on to something else weeks ago.I don't think this lays down the basics quickly enough for someone who has previously studied a Romance Language.

Getting By in French
I have had many years of French in America which in no way prepared me to speak anywhwere in France...especially in out lying country regions.Formal address of each person is mandatory at all times with proper attire(coat/dress pants/tie/dress shoes for men , skirt/dress and dress shoes for women)will get you every where in France as long as you speak as fast as the tape or faster.I played the tape each day for 2 months and everyone understood me.Eight years of American French will not help without extreme speed in talking. Best intro tape ever,,,don't forget the new Euro. Viva La France and good luck , Capt, Mike

Just as advertised
French is very difficult for those who have never learned another language.I made use of this tape/book combination for about a month and was truly able to "get by".I found as many do, that just giving an effort put me in good graces with people I came in contact with. They would then most often speak in English. Give the book and tape a good effort--Lots of repetition--and you'll benefit. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Conversation and phrase books    4. French    5. French language    6. General    7. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    8. Foreign Language Study / French   

Reviews (1)

My 7 year old loves it!
My daughter and I were more than pleased with this math CD.I'm pleased with the music style -catchy tune AND understandable, no rap. I also like the fact that each addition is repeated. Although my daughter knows how to add she still uses her fingers sometimes, I have found that this has helped her to memorize facts more easily. The singing book that comes along is a big plus! I would also recommend the Multiplication unplugged because it teaches how to count by 2s,3s,etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's 9-12 - Education    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Education    5. General    6. Mathematics - Arithmetic    7. Music - General    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Mathematics    9. Addition    10. Arithmetic    11. Audio Juvenile    12. Children's 9-12    13. Elementary    14. Mathematics    15. Teaching Methods & Materials - General   

Editorial Review

Roy Eberhardt is the new kid--again. This time around it's Trace MiddleSchool in humid Coconut Grove, Florida. But it's still the same old routine:table by himself at lunch, no real friends, and thick-headed bullies like DanaMatherson pushing him around. But if it wasn't for Dana Matherson mashing hisface against the school bus window that one day, he might never have seen thetow-headed running boy. And if he had never seen the running boy, he might neverhave met tall, tough, bully-beating Beatrice. And if he had never met Beatrice,he might never have discovered the burrowing owls living in the lot on thecorner of East Oriole Avenue. And if he had never discovered the owls, heprobably would have missed out on the adventure of a lifetime. Apparently,bullies do serve a greater purpose in the scope of the universe. Because if itwasn't for Dana Matherson...Read more

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (378)

HOOT
My book for my review was called Hoot. Hoot is about a boy named Roy . Roy is the main character in the story. The author's name is Carl Hiaasen. I would recommend this book to girls because I have know some boy who have read this book and did not like it. Hoot is my favorite book. I have read it 7 times! I think this book is best for girls. From ages 9 to 12 it is more of a kid book than an adult book.

HOOT
My book for my review was called Hooot. Hoot is about a boy named Roy . Roy is the main characterin the story. The authers name is Carl Hiaasen I would recamend this book to girls because I have know some boy who have reed this book and did not like it. Hoot is my favorite book. I have read it 7 time! I thik this book is best for girls. From ages 9 to 12 it is more of a kid book than an adult book.

Read this book--its good!
Roy Eberhart, Mullet Fingers, and Beatrice Leep are trying to save little baby owls and their existence from Mother Paula's all American Pancake House, Inc. They do a series of stuff to the construction site so they couldn't build the pancake house in Coconut Cove, Florida.Mother Paula's knows they are there, but they want the pancake house anyway. I recommend this to kids who like fiction and who are very adventurous people.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Birds    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Burrowing owl    4. Children's Audio - 9-12    5. Children's audiobooks    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    10. Nature & the Natural World - Environment    11. Owls    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Ah, mice. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Laura Numeroff andillustrator Felicia Bond, creators of the bestselling picture books Read more

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (15)

If You Take a Mouse to School
I like to read this book at the beginning of the school year.

Great Going to School Book
My daughter (2 years old) loves this book.It's funny, cute and has wonderful pictures.It was so great she even fell asleep with it (a first).
Ok, but then what?
OK, bottom line, my daughter loves this book.Loves the story and loves the pictures.So I have to give it an overall positive review because the primary purpose of a kid's book is to entertain the kids.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. School & Education    8. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (11)

A Book for a Lifetime
When I first read this book, I was 10-years-old.I grew up and never forgot the joy that I received from its pages.I kept looking for it when I got older and now have my own copies of all the Carbonel books.I am now in possession of an amazing child's book that deserves to be shared throughout centuries to come.Wonderful book - deserving to be named a favorite classic.

I love this book!
Carbonel took me away when I was a child,I loved every well written detail,and could imagine every event as it took place-the only problem was,when I got older (alot older!!)I had forgotten the title and despaired of ever finding the book again-Imagine my joy when I found a used copy in a thrift store-it looked familiar,could it be....? Hooray!It was!Carbonel!I bought it immediately and read it asap and will never ever let it out of my hands again!This is a fabulous book for children of all ages,and if my opinion counts for anything,I would advise to get a copy of your own right now!Truly a wonderful,wonderful book.

The beginning of a lifetime love of reading
My mom gave me this book when I was 8 years old.Hesitantly, I started reading it, and was immediately hooked.It is the first chapter book I remember reading, and I owe my love of literature to Barbara Sleigh and Carbonel.Before the advent of the Internet, I spent many years trying to track down copies of all the Carbonel books, with limited success.Then one day, I discovered that they had had been reissued in the United Kingdom.I was in law school at the time, and my wife told me we couldn't afford them.Imagine my surprise, that Christmas, when I found them under the tree!My wife had called a bookstore in London, and had them shipped to the US just in time for the holidays.I'm now 39 years old, and still reread those books about once a year.I have read them to both my children, and they have read them by themselves.I think we can all look back on our lives, and find one or two events that shape aspects of our future.For me, a British book about a little girl, a witch and a magical, royal cat set me on a road where books became some of my most cherished possessions, and reading my most enjoyable pasttime.Read the books; feel the magic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's Audio - 4-8    3. General    4. Fiction   

Reviews (3)

Tuneless, painful and irritating....
I had high hopes for some catchy tunes to help my 3rd grader learn her times tables...what I purdhased was a man with a squealing,high-pitched, annoying voice that neither of us could toerate for more that 5 minutes.
Uninspiring and Rather Tiring
I was looking for a karate chop to help break the boredom cycle that my children endure learning their math facts.This certainly wasn't it.After awakening (and scraping the cheerios off our faces,) we all decided that once was certainly enough.
Mulitiplication Rock Version
This product has, so far, be very benifical in helping my cousin learn her multiplication.She is already up to the 6's (in only 3 weeks - she was not able to get that far working with her school in an entire school year last year!). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arithmetic    2. Education    3. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (46)

From a queer, young girl to an attractive auburnette schoolteacher...
Even though L.M. Montgomery did not intend Anne of Green Gables to be a series, she still captivates with her eager readers in Anne of Avonlea.
Boring Boring Boring!
How could anyone sit and read this boring work of fiction.I am actually listening to the audio version and I am almost falling asleep and cannot remember a word the reader has said.
A VERY NICE FOLLOW UP - GOOD READING
Being a L.M. Montgomery fan helps of course, but this second book in her series is a great sequel to the Anne of Green Gables which started it all.The writing hold true to the author's form and the character development is as good as the first work in the series.My wife and I have been reading these books for years and never tire of them.Again, as with her first work, you have to remember the time these were written and the style and syntax used at that time.This particlar story starts where the last left off, Anne is sixteen and her adventure continues.I, for some reason, find these books rather comforting to read and recommend them highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Girls & Women    2. Children's Audio - 9-12    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Action & Adventure - General    5. Classic fiction    6. Audio: Juvenile    7. Classics    8. Children: Grades 4-6   

Editorial Review

Fifteen years and one Caldecott Medal after its publication, Chris VanAllsburg's Read more

Reviews (199)

Great Book
I thought this book was great - it was really colorful. The overall feel reminded me of the book "Now I Know the Ten Commandments". I recommend it to anyone.

I like this book...and I think you will too!
This book is about a little boy who finds a train in front of his house. He has a chance to go on a great journey...does he get on the train? I think you will like this book. This book makes me feel happy. Your kids might like it too!

S, Bartkus Review
This beautifully written 1986 Caldecott Award winning book captivates readers young and old to love this Christmas classic.The story is told from a young boy's point of view of waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve, only to find a train waiting outside his bedroom window ready to go to the North Pole.Van Allsburg immediately draws the reader into the story by capturing the young boy leaning outside his window leading the reader to turn the page and see what the boy sees. The storyline follows the journey of a boy on the Polar Express train to see Santa in the North Pole and receive the first gift of Christmas.It teaches a strong lesson for those who believe and is appropriate for children while bringing back the warm eager memories of waiting for Santa.Van Allsburg's award winning illustrations are so realistic and fill the pages to capture the emotions and spirit of the children.His use of shading to create shadows on each page capture the essence of the Christmas Eve night.The lights in the background seem to pop out in the background as if one turned on a light switch.The detailed realistic drawings capture the emotion of the young boy especially when he lost the bell that Santa had given him.We see him on the train and empathize with him along with the other children as if we were riding right there in the train with him.Although the illustrations gained the main recognition of the story, his use of rich descriptive language also strengthen the story.Van Allsburg's use of similes to compare, give vivid details and appeal to the senses of the reader.For example, one line describes the chocolate cocoa as " melted chocolate bars."The popularity of this book was made into a blockbuster movie and Van Allsburg's talent of lasting artisitic impression and rich language was not lost.This book will continue to touch readers of all ages and capture the warm spirit of Christmas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's audiobooks    3. Christmas    4. Fiction    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Santa Claus    8. Unabridged Audio - Fiction/General   

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• Unabridged
• Unabridged

Reviews (4)

So much fun in a book!
Junie B. Jones books are so funny! Barbara Park has a real talent in being able to write as if she is really a little girl... Some parents might complain about Junie B.'s "bad grammar", but the fact is that she is only a kid trying to immitate the way adults act and speak around her. Read them and laugh out loud, they're so good---for kids and for adults with a sense of humour!

Will Keep Kids Happy in the Car for Hours!
These books are terrific for kids in a wide range of ages--mine are 3, 5, and 8, and they all love them (they are over the head of the 3-year-old, but he's still mesmerized). Amazingly, the audiobooks are even better than the print versions. Lana Quintal, whose child-like voice seems a little grating at first, stands up incredibly well to repeat (and repeat and repeat) listening. She gets the tone just right. My kids are happy listening to these tapes in the car even on those long journeys that are usually occasion for hours of complaining. Worth gold! Check out the collection of books 9-12 too; if anything, it's even better than this one.

My Daughter Loves Junie B!
My daughter, just entering kindergarten this year, adores the Junie B. Jones books!While I admit, that I'm not overly fond of the grammatical mistakes (I tend to edit while reading aloud), the books are great fun for adults as well as kids.These books have helped my daughter deal with everything from a new sibling, to the start of kindergarten.I recommend them highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Audiobooks    4. Children's Audio - 4-8    5. Children's audiobooks    6. General    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (7)

Great Activi