Editorial Review

"In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf." So begins Eric Carle's modern classic, 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. Carle, Eric    3. Caterpillars    4. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    5. Children: Preschool    6. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Editorial Review

The gentle rhyming and gorgeous, tissue-paper collage illustrations in this classic picture book make it a dog-eared favorite on many children's bookshelves. On each page, we meet a new animal who nudges us onward to discover which creature will show up next: "Blue Horse, Blue Horse, What do you see? I see a green frog looking at me." This pattern is repeated over and over, until the pre-reader can chime in with the reader, easily predicting the next rhyme. One thing readers might not predict, however, is just what kinds of funny characters will make an appearance at the denouement! Children on the verge of reading learn best with plenty of identifiable images and rhythmic repetition. Eric Carle's good-humored style and colorful, bold illustrations (like those in Read more

Reviews (223)

My daughter LOVES this book
I actually surprisingly just bought this book earlier today and my almost 17 month old daughter already loves it.She loves the rhythm of the words and the large colorful animals.She like the fact that she is familiar with all the animals and can tell me what noise they make. I purchased the board book because she like to turn the pages on her own and I didn't want the book to be messed up.All in all. . . NO REGRETS

Great book to bond with your child
This is the first book that my daughter and I read every night.She points out the different animals when I read.It is a great book that teaches colors and animals.I recommend this book to every parent as first reading material with your child.

Which copy are you on?
Brown bear, Brown bear, What do you see?
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Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - Bears    3. Animals - General    4. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    5. Children: Preschool    6. Color    7. Concepts - Colors    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Stories in rhyme    11. Picture books   

Reviews (39)

My 9 month old loves this book!
I read many board books to my son and the first time I read this to him, he couldn't get enough!We haven't bought Brown Bear yet, but certainly do that after seeing his reaction to this book.
Not what I was expecting
I was so pleasantly surprised when our copy of Polar Bear, Polar Bear arrived, I immediately read it to my 2 and a half year old son.He owns the board book, so I decided to purchase another copy since the board book has seen better days.We both just simply loved the replacement.It was in mint condition and the quality of the pages is wonderful.Couldn't be more satisfied with our find!!!

Another great companion to Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Another fun book like Brown Bear, Brown Bear. This book introduces you to a new set of animals and the sounds that they make. If your children liked "Brow Bear" I'm sure they will like this book as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal sounds    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    4. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    5. Children: Babies & Toddlers    6. Concepts - Senses & Sensation    7. Fiction    8. Stories in rhyme    9. Zoo animals    10. Picture books   

Reviews (28)

Fun with reading and movement
This was a great incorporation of words and movement, I read itto my 3.5 year old and he loves it,but I also think older children will have fun acting like each animal.

Great Shower Gift! Book Interests Babies at Many Levels!
I read FROM HEAD TO TOE to my baby, who is now 10 months old, and to a good friend's child, who is about 22 months old. Both enjoy it!
My Infant Smiles Whenever He Sees This Book
We have enjoyed another of Eric Carle's books--Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See--since my son was a few weeks old.So, when my son was about 7 months old, I bought From Head to Toe.It was a wonderful purchase!After a few reads, my son was imitating the animals just like his mama--waving his arms like a monkey and on his hands and knees like the cat.It was so wonderful for me to see that my son was understanding and processing the books I read to him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Concepts - General    6. Exercise    7. Interactive Adventure    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Physical fitness    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (4)

We love this book!
My daughter is only 20 months old now, but we began reading this book to her at about 14 months.She has learned the names of fruits in spanish and how to count to 5 within a couple of weeks of beginning to read it.It is one of her favorite books along with "Oso pardo, Oso pardo...".This is one of the required books for a spanish class that she will be beginning when she turns 2.As a spanish speaker it is a really easy book for me to read with fun pictures that my daughter enjoys. Even now she loves to put her fingers in the holes to count the fruit.For parents/caregivers who are not quite as experienced in reading spanish, it may be a little difficult to pronounce some of the words, but with some help you should be able to read the words effortlessly after a few times.My parents and in-laws don't speak much english and they love reading these spanish books to their granddaughter.It's a great way for them to bond.

Spanish version of a classic!
This Spanish version of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is just as cute as the English version.Children will love the pages of varying sizes with holes where the caterpillar has eaten up the food.
So cool!
In case you aren't familiar with this book, it is about a caterpillar who eats and eats and eats.The board book version has holes in the pages so the reader can see what he has eaten.It is so cute!The illustrations are adorable and the kids love it!We are a bilingual family so my boys have the Spansih version.It's super and very durable! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Caterpillars    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Spanish language materials    10. Spanish: Preschool    11. Specimens    12. Toy and movable books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Editorial Review

Every young child should be introduced to this story, as great a classic as its predecessor, Read more

Reviews (31)

My 2-year old loves it.
This book does not do much for me, but my 2-year old son absolutely loves it.The book gives him a chance to make animal sounds, and the raised texture of the spider web invites his touch.Of course he is fascinated by the spider herself.
Good message, but not so entertaining
My daughter is 3 months old, and she will listen to this story since it is short.I love the message.I would give it 5 stars, but she doesn't get absorbed in it like The Very Hungry Catapillar.

The Very Busy Review
I liked this book because it talks about how if you work hard it will pay off. That's exactly what happened. Miss Spider worked hard and finaly built her web. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Fiction    6. Specimens    7. Spider webs    8. Spiders    9. Toy and movable books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Reviews (51)

Great book when you are teaching time!
I am a first grade teacher and I always read this book before I begin teaching time.I love Eric Carle.

The Very Grouchy Review by: Nicole
I liked this book because it reminds me of what i used to do. Yelling adn always wanting to fight. It was very funny because I was very little.

Learning on more than one level.
Not only have both my kids enjoyed reading this book over and over again, but I think it is a very interesting book.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Behavior    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Concepts - Time    6. Fiction    7. Human behavior    8. Ladybugs    9. Social Issues - Manners & Etiquette    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (13)

Wonderful story
This book is simply a delight! I bought it for my granddaughter who is 9 months. She loves for me to read it to her. We just love it!!

The story behind the story is more interesting
This book is simply not that great. The rubber ducky sound at the end is cute but nothing to applaud. The art is borderline awful and, while the story behind the story is cute, it just did not come out great as a children's book. I must confess, I am not an Eric Carle fan though, with the exception of The Very Busy Spider, which I enjoyed. To put it simply, don't bother. The two redeeming qualities of this book are 1) it teaches counting well (the first rubber duck, the second rubber duck) and it exposes the kids to animals you do not see every day (octupus, flamingo, pelican).

Excellent Book for Emergent Readers
As an Early Childhood professional I am always looking for goods books rich in language, story and pictures.This book is one of Eric Carle's best books.I am a teacher/owner of Oceanside Pre-Kindergarten a unique Literacy based program to help children prepare for Kindergarten in today's intense learning environment in formal education.
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Subjects:  1. Carle, Eric    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Ducks    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Nature & the Natural World - General    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Sound effects books    12. Specimens    13. Toys    14. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    15. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Editorial Review

Many of Eric Carle's books begin with a small creature being born just as a great yellow sun rises. This time the hero is a firefly, and the inimitably Carle-ish cut-paper orange-and-yellow sun is setting. The firefly buzzes off in search of companionship, but keeps following other lights by mistake--a candle, a flashlight, a lantern--and these in turn are all leading in the direction of a fireworks display. Finally, the lonely firefly finds the friends it is seeking--a dozen or more other fireflies. This is one of a series of large (11.5 by 8.5 inches) format Carle books with a mechanical twist: in this case, the firefly's new group of friends start to flash (from tiny yellow bulbs embedded in the book) as you turn the last page. (The battery is replaceable.) (Baby to preschool) Read more

Reviews (26)

Can't turn the lights off
I have no "black button" on the inside cover to shut off the lights.They don't turn off.When the book is closed tight, you can see them flashing inside.
A Children's Classic
This is a wonderful book - one of many written and illustrated by Eric Carle.My daughter has enjoyed this since she was about six months old.Now one and a half, she asks for it by name!She read the first copy so much that we had to replace it (despite it's sturdy quality).

The Very Boring Story
Title says it all - repetition of the tedious rather than charming kind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. Fireflies    6. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    7. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    8. Specimens    9. Toy and movable books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful addition to any Spanish Curriculum
I was wary of this book, because the more common Spanish term for "brown" in Texas (where we live) is cafe' or el color cafe.'But my students and children didn't miss a beat. As I read it - and it is VERY lyrical and sweetly repetitious, just as the English version is - the children simply adopted "pardo" as another way to say brown. What a wonderful way to introduce the fact that much of learning a second language is not always 1 to 1 - meaning, there are OFTEN many words that can mean similar ideas in the target language.
A Real Treat for Spanish Speaking Pre-Schoolers
Bill Martin's "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" is an early childhood classic, and this Spanish translation maintains all of the qualities that make it a hit with younsters.The captivating illustrations soothe eventhe most rambunctious of tots. The lyric repetition of language make it anatural for developing Spanish literacy or communication skills. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Bears    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Concepts - Colors    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Spanish: Kindergarten   

Reviews (8)

EXCELLENT BUY
This text is an invaluable picture book for children learning how to read, how to enjoy reading and to learn about the joys and absurdities that life can bring. It is a humerous text that utilises excellent illustrations to represent the plot. The plot itself humerously intertwines fantasy with reality, ofcoarse it depends upon the child's imagination. A must for any child that enjoys playing with words and surreal ideas. The book's design is additionally unique in that is in an organisational folder style whereby children may select various imaginary creatures as they choose. I hope that others can share this wonderful picture book with all children they read to and/or with.

Elicits Wonderful Langugage
This is a great book that reinforces a strong message to children. I read this book every year in my classroom during the first week of school. I do not focus on the colors in the book - I feel that the story's value lies in the message that everyone is unique and special. The kind of responses that children offer in response to this high-quality piece of literature is amazing....a great read, in the classroom and at home.

The Mixed-Up Chameleon,School Project
I think that "The Mixed-Up Chameleon" by Eric Carle is a really great, fun and interesting, and a great learning experience for children.Personally, I have loved this book since as long as I can remember.In the beginning, it describes a chameleon that is bored of its boring life.He then goes to the zoo and sees all kinds of different and beautiful animals.Astonished by the sight of all of them, he wishes to become them one by one.He must wish to be about ten animals including a person.After all of this excitement, he sees a fly and......Well, I can't tell you what happens!Buy this book and your child(children) and you can find out together.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Zoos    2. Chameleons    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Concepts - General    6. Fiction    7. Self-acceptance    8. Specimens    9. Toy and movable books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (23)

One of the Best
I am a speech pathologist who reads this to children from ages three to eight.The children are soooo impressed with the foldouts and my favorite spot of my day is watching a first time "reader" of the book as the foldouts spread out.The pages with the longest ladder anyone has ever seen knock the kids between the eyes!You HAVE to see their faces!!
My 2-year old's very favorite book
I bought this on a whim because my daughter likes saying good night to the moon.It was one of five books I purchased in one order, and the rest remain unread because my two-year old daughter immediately picked this one as the one she wanted read - over and over and over again.She can recite practically the whole thing and so strongly identifies with the little girl in the story she likes to pretend to be Monica (or she gets confused and thinks she IS Monica).It's a cute story and the fold-outs are unusual and compelling, but it's one of those rare books that has struck a deep chord with her - and that I can tolerate reading over and over and over again.

Great book
It's poetic and the illustrations are superb. Your child will love it, as will you! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Bedtime Stories    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Preschool    5. Family - Parents    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Nature & the Natural World - General    8. Specimens    9. Toy and movable books    10. Board books    11. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams    12. Pop-up & lift-the-flap books   

Editorial Review

A cricket is born who cannot talk! A bigger cricket welcomes him to the world, then a locust, a cicada, and many other insects, but each time the tiny cricket rubs his wings together in vain: no sound emerges. In the end, however, he meets another quiet cricket, and manages to find his "voice." Children will love the repetitive text as they meet a steady parade of new creatures (including a "spittlebug, slurping in a sea of froth"); and of course they'll delight in the happy ending. This is one of a series of large (11.5 by 8.5 inches) format Eric Carle books with a mechanical twist: in this case, the quiet cricket bursts into (surprisingly authentic) electronic song as you turn the last page. (The battery is replaceable.) An amusement for the ears, but most of all--as ever, with Carle--a feast for the eyes. The colorful cut-paper illustrations are simply gorgeous, drawing you in even on the hundredth reading. (And there will be a hundredth reading, followed by many more.) (Baby to preschool) Read more

Reviews (35)

Cricket
Book is ok - like the very hungry caterpiller better and so does my 21 month old daughter.

Wonderful
This is a wonderful book for small children.My daughter loved it when she was small and I can't wait to read it to my infant son.Fun and engaging!!

Gorgeous, and with a surprise at the end
Next to the Hungry Caterpillar this is one of our favourite books in the house, and a favourite Carle book. We have this in board book as we have had this book since my kids were babies. It is still popular as it is really also an early reader - recognising various animals in the garden (although not all are relevant)
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Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Crickets    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile fiction    8. Sound effects books    9. Specimens    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Editorial Review

Fans of Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle's Read more

Reviews (14)

Very repetitive
My daughter LOVES this book.We don't have the other what do you see books, so I can't compare it to them.It is a very good book, the only thing I've noticed is that it is repetitive in the answers each animal gives saying "that's what I see" at the end of them all.It's probably good for toddlers to have that repetition, but it's wearing me down.Otherwise I think this is a great book with great pictures and a good introduction to "unusual" animals.

Good Concept
The book has great illustrations and is very colorful. Good Story.
Nice art, great message
My 2-year old daughter loves this book (she loves most books she sees, but has been particularly insistent to be read this one).I appreciate the artwork myself (as I do all of Eric Carle's work) and the environmentally-focused message as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Carle, Eric    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Preschool    7. Endangered species    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Martin, Bill    11. Nature & the Natural World - Environment    12. Nature & the Natural World - Environment & Ecology    13. Nature & the Natural World - General    14. Stories in rhyme   

Reviews (2)

Have Questions???
I am very interested in buying this set of books but I do not see anywhere where it says which books are included in this set? Am I just missing it? What books are included??

A really great buy
Of course, these Eric Carle books are gems. Each story is fun because they are interactive.Lights flash at the end of Very Lonely Firefly, and the intricate paging of Very Hungry Caterpillar are great for baby and toddler fingers.But try and buy these seperately, and I'm telling you that you just can not beat the price of this boxed set. It is a great, great, deal. This makes a perfect gift for a baby shower, or birthday. Since the books are the board edition you know that they will last a while too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Carle, Eric    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Preschool    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Preschool Picture Story Books    7. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (6)

A Pleasant Surprise
When we got this book, wasn't sure it was going to be much, but loved Eric Carle.Was pleasantly surprised how much my son (18 months) loved it.He enjoys all of the different animals and counting them - and the little mouse.He especially loves the big fold out drawing at the end and pointing to everything we saw on the train.
1,2,3 To The Zoo
Teach your children how to "count 1,2.3" while using common animals found at your local zoo. The pictures are very creative and will help the listener have fun grasping the basic numbers 1 through 10.

My daughter has learned her numbers
My 15-month old daughter has learned some of her numbers withthis book.It is her favorite -- the numbers are large and clear, and the graphics are attractive without being too busy or distracting.I have checked this book out at the library so many times that it is time to buy it!Since there are no words, this is an ideal book for parents to flex their creativity and act out animal sounds or motions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Counting    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Pictorial works    9. Zoo animals    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (8)

Not a book about friendship or tolerance.
Agree w/ a prior reviewer - this book was VERY disappointing.I was horrified to hear it read, for the first time, by a 'teacher' (who obligingly filled in the dialogue for the non-mouse animals, to say to the mouse: "No I don't want to be your friend. . .your too little (or whatever)."
Is it just me....?
or was anyone else confused by this book? Now don't get me wrong I don't expect War and Peace in a children's book, but a little more dialogue would have been nice. As it is, there are 2 possible conclusions I can draw from this book:
compared to hungry caterpillar a disappointment
yes this is a book about friendship and i realize for child at times simple is better but this book i thought really lacked especially compared to how great a book the hungry caterpillar is(i personally think just about this authors best book)it has at the very start of the book the question ask by a mouse "do you want to be my friend?"and then at the end a yes from another mouse no other writing between yes you can teach your child a little about the other animals the mouse is apparently asking though not in print.I personally thought this could have been laid out a little different ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile fiction    7. Mice    8. Stories without words    9. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Editorial Review

It's almost Christmas and it hasn't snowed yet. As the farmer naps onhis small farm, he dreams of being covered in a gentle blanket of new snow.Then, one by one, he dreams of each of his five animals (aptly named One, Two,Three, Four, and Five) being covered as well. When he awakens, he discovers thatreal snow--not dream snow--has fallen. And "Oh my! Oh my! I almost forgot," thefarmer shouts, and, bundling up, hurries out to his tree (named Tree) with a boxand a sack, looking remarkably familiar in his white beard and red suit. Afterdecorating Tree, the farmer shouts "Merry Christmas to all!" and pushes a buttonfor a surprise Yuletide jingle.Read more

Reviews (21)

Great book for reading readiness...
This book lets you teach 49 vowel-spellings with 282 vocabulary words.

Tested and true
My preschool students loved everything about this book. There was the mystery of the old farmer who looked like Santa Claus.Was he just a farmer or was he Santa? The animals with their number names caused a great deal of discussion among the children. Why didn't they have real names?The plastic overlays of falling snow and the song and light show at the end were over the top and caused a sensation.Dream Snow is a showcase of Eric Carle's genius.The story is very simple but readily engages children's minds and the visual presentation is tantalizing.

Attention getter
As a mother and a preschool teacher, I can say that I really enjoyed this book.The simplicity of it keeps the attention of the children.They love to repeat the lines with me as I am reading.They also like taking turns pressing the button to hear the music.This is truly another master piece by Carle. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Christmas    4. Fiction    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life    8. Musical books    9. Sound effects books    10. Specimens    11. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    12. Christmas books    13. Early learning / early learning concepts    14. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas    15. Rural communities    16. Toys   

Reviews (9)

Strange word choices; does not work as a board book
I understand the power of overcoming adversity, but as the seeds travel, one of the "drowns," one dies in the desert, one is eaten by a bird...I think it is a disturbing little book, actually.It certainly should never have been made into a board book.There are too many words on the page to keep the attention of a toddler or preschooler.The ending seems abrupt as well.I haven't been impressed with the Carle books I have read.

not the best for intended age group
I think this book is fine, but not for the preschool crowd.I would use it with older children -- elementary age -- to discuss the life cycle of an annual, the role of the seasons, and the challenges of reproduction which must be overcome by all plants.The Tiny Seed introduces us to many of the hazards faced by seeds and seedlings as they attempt to grow (from falling in water and drowning, being eaten by birds or mice, being overshadowed by large weeds, being stepped on by children, and more) and shows how the ideal environment is a necessity.It covers the role of sunshine and rain, how the seed swells and bursts open, how the plant develops as it grows, and how it produces and disperses its seeds to carry on the next generation.It's not a book for small children, though, since its mostly non-fiction tone is dry, the phrases are stilted, and it doesn't read aloud well.I find it difficult to "cheer on" the tiny seed; where others see him as a hero facing difficult odds, I think the book is too grimly determined to be educational and becomes boring for the youngest child.If you want a book to introduce a unit on seed dispersal, this is the one.If you want to talk with your three year old about the cycle of the seasons, you'd be better off with the Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter collection by Gerda Muller.

LOVE IT!!!
I absolutely adore this book! It is soooooo well written! Its pictures are absolutely beautiful! This book is a must for anyone with children! It is just that good! You should buy this book right away! I PROMISE that you will LOVE it too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Nature    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. Nature & the Natural World - General    7. Nature - Flowers & Plants    8. Plant life cycles    9. Plants    10. Science & Nature - Botany    11. Science & Nature - Flowers & Plants    12. Science & Technology - Botany    13. Seeds    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Nature / Flowers & Plants   

Editorial Review

Eric Carle's distinctive art holds a place of honor in the world of children's books. (He is the creator of Read more

Reviews (6)

A favorite of my two-year-old twins
I had this book on the top shelf of the kids' (two year old boy and girl) bookcase for safe-keeping until they got a little older and a little better at page-turning.It's far too nice a book, I thought, to be torn and wrinkled by a couple of toddlers who can't even appreciate it.It contains a wonderful variety of poems, and Eric Carle's artwork is stunning.He devotes a two-page spread to most of the animals; the whale at the beginning takes up four pages.
fantastic!!!
This is a fantastic book, full of wonderful poetry and Eric Carle's trademark collage art. This book includes poetry selections that span the cultures, including Native American, aboriginal, and Japanese to name a few. Many of the big names in poetry are here, from Shakespeare to Ogden Nash. I especially liked the reference to creation included with a quote from Genesis and a picture of a whale. My personal favorite poem in the book is "Mother Doesn't Want a Dog," and why "She's making a mistake." This is a great introduction to poetry for children that the whole family loves. Truly a great addition to my homeschool library.

Animal collection
This book contains a collection of animal poems.The sources of the poems are quite varied, from Emily Dickinson, to the Bible, to Japanese haikus.All sorts of animals are featured, from fireflies to hippopotami.There are no scary bits, and the pictures are great.At the end of the book is an index of the animals and a table of contents by first lines to help you find your favorite poems.The book has about 2900 words. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Collections    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile poetry    9. Poetry    10. Poetry - General    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General