The Water Hole

Amazon.com

Who can resist the allure of the hidden wilderness water hole? Certainly not one rhino. Not two tigers. Nor three toucans. Pretty soon the delicious pool is drawing moose, catfish, pandas, tortoises... and more than 100 other critters from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond. But is it our imagination or is that rhino-sized water hole dwindling to a mere shadow of its former self, a puddle not fit for eight ladybugs, let alone 10 kangaroos? As the seasons change across the world, and the animals get thirstier, the water supply diminishes. Eventually, even the flowery-shirted frog that has stoically lingered through the drought packs his suitcase and takes off. The only hope now is a drop of rain on the parched earth...

With his usual elaborate detail, Graeme Base, mad genius behind Animalia, The Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery, and other wild and wonderful titles, presents a one-of-a-kind counting book. Naturally, Base would never be content to stick with a simple 1 through 10 format. Readers of all ages will linger over each spread, first counting the highlighted animals and giggling at the translation of their grunts and growls (the moose's "Moo, moo, mooooooiii!" means "Hey, get your hoof out of my ear!"). Then it's time to check out the diminishing size of the die-cut hole in the pond. And finally, readers will want to find each of the 10 additional animals cleverly hidden in every illustration, based on the silhouetted creatures in the border. A safari on paper--with an environmental and mathematical education thrown in for good measure. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

The long-awaited companion to the best-selling Animalia!

Graeme Base is back-with an exciting and fun new counting book! Children will love counting from one to 10 as animals of the world gather around a water hole. As one rhino gives way to two tigers, then three toucans, on up to 10 kangaroos, die-cut pages reveal the water hole in 10 different worldwide habitats, from African plains to Himalayan mountains to the Australian outback. But the water hole keeps shrinking, and with it the number of frolicking frogs. Can anything bring back the water that the animals all need to survive? Careful readers will find additional animals, many of them endangered, silhouetted in the borders of every spread and hiding within every landscape.

A stunning fusion of counting book, puzzle book, storybook, and art book, The Water Hole features the layers of interest that make Graeme Base's books among the world's best-loved picture books.

Customer Reviews:

The Water Hole.......2007-10-04

Another beautiful and entertaining book by Graeme Base! I enjoyed every page and bought more to share with my favorite young readers.

great book on so many levels.......2007-07-02

enjoyed by children learning to count and by kids that love to find the hidden animals. What I like is how my 3 and 7 year olds both love it and I can make story time long or short depending on if I just read it or if we search out all the animals. also has a great message.

Not appropriate for school-age kids.......2007-05-10

Don't get me wrong, this is a really great book. This book was just not what I expected. Illustrations were great and words in this book were minimal - very appropriate for preschool kids. I had intended this for my school-age kids and it was too simplistic for them. Also, this book make it sound like the earth will restore itself on its own (raining solving drought problem) when in fact, the earth needs our help to restore it by not wrecking havoc Mother Nature.

favorite children gift.......2007-02-07

I give this book to children all the time and the joy is given ten fold back

Environmentally Correct.......2007-01-15

The person who received this book used it to promote water savings tips to her elementary school students who greatly enjoyed finding the hidden surprises in the beautiful illustrations.

Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! (Boynton on Board)

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Boynton Fan
One of Our Favorites
My kids LOVE Boynton!
Dinosaur Power!
Sandra did it again!

Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! (Boynton on Board)
Sandra Boynton
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 1563054418

Book Description

Sunbathing dinosaurs and artistic dinosaurs, dancing dinosaurs and volleyball-playing dinosaurs make learning opposites fun! From Boynton on Board, the bestselling series of extra-big, extra-fat, extra-appealing board books, Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! is a book of opposites featuring the inimitable Sandra BoyntonÃs colorful, humorous drawings and lively text.

Main selection of the ChildrenÃs Book-of-the-Month Club. Main selection of the Children's Book-of-the-Month Club. Suitable for ages 1-4.

Customer Reviews:

Boynton Fan.......2007-09-25

As others have said, a wonderful book. We own a couple, but this is the favorite and plan to get more. Our two year old actually reads this to me every night before bed. That is the beauty of how Ms. Boynton's books are written. You read and re-read a couple of times, then the children "read" to us! Great work and highly recommended!!

One of Our Favorites.......2007-06-30

My 10-month old twin boys love reading time and this is one of their favorites. We just love Sandra Boynton books in general, but this is one of the ones we all like the best.

My kids LOVE Boynton!.......2007-05-31

My kids love this book, and all her books! This one particularly because it can be so interactive. We've got them all!

Dinosaur Power!.......2007-02-22

My child loves this book, and loves to say the title. I like how all the Boynton books rhyme. He reads all her books so much he can say/finish a lot of the sentences already, and he's only 20 months old. I think they really helped my child to speak so much, so early.

Sandra did it again!.......2006-11-12

The kids loved this book SO much more than her opposites book. She did a much better job visually explaining opposites.

Average customer rating:

Perfect for 18 month old
One Of My Favorites From When I Was A Kid!
A Must Have for a Children's Library
By far my son's favorite!
13 Years Later & It's Still One Of Her All-Time Favorite Childhood Books!

I Am a Bunny (A Golden Sturdy Book)
Ole Risom
Manufacturer: Golden Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0375827781
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Book Description

I am a bunny. My name is Nicholas. I live in a hollow tree.

In the spring, Nicholas likes to sniff the flowers, and in the summer, watch the frogs in the pond. In the fall, he watches the animals getting ready for winter, and in winter, watches the snow falling from the sky. This beautifully illustrated, gentle story is one of Golden’s most beloved titles.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for 18 month old.......2007-09-30

My son loves this book. There are only a few words on each page for his short attention span and the pictures are beautiful. The birds, flowers, insects and animals shown in the book are all actual species as well. It teaches about the seasons.

One Of My Favorites From When I Was A Kid!.......2007-07-20

I have such a tender place in my heart for this book. It is one of the very first books I remember reading all to myself when I was 4. It is a lovely book. The story is simple and the illustrations are sweet. Our friend, Nicholas the bunny, tells us what he likes to do during each of the seasons -- in fall, he watches the leaves fall from the trees, in winter he watches the "animals" (somehow, Nicholas does not realize that he's an animal) prepare, in spring, he chases the butterflies and the butterflies chase him, etc. I love reading it now to my two-year-old.

A Must Have for a Children's Library.......2007-07-11

My daughter received this book as a gift and it has become one of her top favorites. It is simply charming and endearing. The story is short, the words are minimal, and Richard Scarry's illustrations are captivating. We read this book every night before bed at least 2 times and my 15-month old will search it out and flip through it herself.

By far my son's favorite!.......2007-05-31

This book was given to me by my mother-in-law. Apperently, this was my husband's favorite book as a child. The apple must not fall far from the tree! My one year son LOVES this book. We have many other 'popular' children's books, but this is the only one he seems to really enjoy. I have to say it is a cute book and my son like to point out the bunny on each page.

13 Years Later & It's Still One Of Her All-Time Favorite Childhood Books!.......2007-05-07

I bought this book for my daughter thirteen years ago. She loved it then and asked for me to read it to her every night for years. On trips, my husband and I would recite it from memory to soothe her as we drove. She's thirteen years old now; her beloved book is safely packed away for her children someday, but my daughter still lovingly recites the entire book to me every now and then . . . and it's still one of her very favorite childhood books. Today we're ordering a copy for her cousin's new baby! Another generation needs to enjoy this lovely book.
"I am a bunny, my name is Nicholas. I live in a hollow tree . . . ."
After all those many, many readings, I still love it, too!

Average customer rating:

LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!
LOVE THIS BOOK
Hey, That's MY BROTHER you are TALKING ABOUT
Fantastic and funny!
At first good,but then.....

Julius, the Baby of the World

Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0688143881
Release Date: 1995-09-21

Amazon.com

For children who are facing the arrival of a new sibling, Julius, the Baby of the World makes for great biblio-therapy. At first, big sister Lilly thought it might be fun to have a new baby in the family. But when her parents repeatedly coo, "Julius is the baby of world," Lilly's mouse hackles begin to rise. Soon the jealousy is too much for her, and she embarks on a rejection campaign that is hysterically funny, but also comforting for siblings who probably feel just as much resentment but would never go to Lilly's extremes. Kevin Henkes, creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse refuses to shy away from the truly powerful and sometimes dark feelings of children. Through bright watercolors and handwritten, cartoon-style dialogue, Henkes relishes Lilly's wickedness. For example, she delights in insulting her oblivious baby brother: "If you were a food, you'd be a raisin," she whispers into his crib. "If you were a number you'd be zero." When she paints an elaborate family portrait, she leaves Julius out. When she throws a tea party, guess which baby doesn't get an invitation? But when a visiting cousin starts insulting baby Julius, we discover that the flip side of Lilly's intense jealousy is an even more powerful and lasting loyalty. ALA Notable Book, ALA Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List, Parent's Choice Honor for Literature. (Baby to Preschool) --Gail Hudson

Book Description

The riotously funny Lilly, last seen in Chester's Way (Greenwillow), thinks her new baby brother, Julius, is disgusting -- if he was a number, he would be zero. But when Cousin Garland dares to criticize Julius, Lilly bullies her into loudly admiring Julius as the baby of the world.Lilly knows her baby brother is nothing but dreadful -- until she claims him for her own. "Henkes displays a deep understanding of sibling rivalry and a child's fragile self-esteem....Lilly is a superb and timely heroine." -- Publishers Weekly. "

Customer Reviews:

LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!.......2007-08-11

This book is absolutely one of my favorites - obviously great for youngsters expecting a new sibling, but it's just downright hilarious. This book is so charming in dealing with the mixed feelings associated with new babies - the little "asides" are priceless, and the illustrations are a scream. A must-have.

LOVE THIS BOOK.......2007-06-08

Ok a word to the wise, when I started reading this I had not pre-read it so I was a little shocked at how negative the sister is with her brother and kept looking at my older daughter wondering if it was going to give her "ideas". She loved the book and after finishing the whole book and rereading it again and again it's a great little book about siblings. I love all of Henkes books but this is one of my favorites.

Hey, That's MY BROTHER you are TALKING ABOUT.......2007-05-19

If you want a writer that'll guarantee you a successful shared story time at U Pick It, my time to read aloud just after lunch, a teacher cannot go wrong with the kinds of books Henkes gives us. Classics really.

Fresh with the problems of life, Henkes' stories are resolved in ways to bring a wry turn to the corner of your mouth...every time I read one I marvel at his work. Just today in fact. In my classroom right now one student is waiting on her new baby sib and two others are a month or so into their brand spanking new babies. A goodly number are the older sibs to kids from 9 months to four. It's interesting, actually, as I sit and count it up...most are able to remember the coming of the new little baby cakes into their lives, often their bedrooms, and spaces. With some funny observations like, "He eats erasers, we can't get them quick enough." Or, " My Mom said the baby is supposed to cry to make him stronger, this baby is strooooong." Or , "I don't like sharing my room so much." One student in my room, who left and just returned not moving (thank you forces above) is an only child, but she is also such a showman and queen of the world like Lily who she clearly identified with today, I can only imagine if she would be displaced even a tiny bit with a baby. I can only imagine. Pinching would be the least of it...Oh yes, I can read this and see one possible version........not a pretty sight.

Because it is so overstated this is a funny welcome the new baby tale. Lily is so put out she even pinches the baby, says mean things, scares him. (I recall pinching my baby brother to wake him to play with considerable guilt later. And also recall dreading nights when he howled all through it with colic, the story might fit a few of my memories and I suspect is written so that any child will see a few connections), She resents his coming to steal his way into her parents hearts and affection. Lily then has to sit a great deal in her special chair..timed out..where Henkes in illustrating genius shows her holding up signs requesting the bathroom and food. Any time I employ time out with kids the bathroom is the next word spoken. He's got that right.

Lily is queen of the world having nothing of her nemesis in Julius. It would seem through several repetitions of the pattern of her rejection of him that it's hopeless...until, until, until her cousin Garland speaks in kind......and then....in that moment of familial stick togetherness something shifts and she finds a way to stick up for family and become attached to her brother, her Julius. It's such a great moment....and my class sat in utter silence. Absorbed by that.

No I'm not one to read kids lots of "afraid of the dark" books until you introduce the concept and an otherwise comfy kid starts to develop the fears you kind of nudged into place. Nor am I sure reading this to kids that are making a fine translation to a new sibling...why look for trouble or read it before hand unless you are wanting to talk about the upcoming POSSIBLE realities in general. So exaggerated they KNOW it won't be THIS BAD. That might feel better. But know your child and the need. Don't introduce the jealousy. . It should be talked with the child, but I talked another way actually..... I read the book though because my student Ramona, who just found out about her upcoming sibling, clearly is very apprehensive. And one of my students is rather ignoring her baby (according to momma) and Lily tries this in her program of waiting her parents out in the hopes Julius will just be gone. But the Baby of the World is definitely here to stay. I love how her parents explain that they must love him up to create this being that can be as special as she is...I love how patiently they allow her to bond. I might have been inclined to fuss, to have cracked...or ordered some love "right now dammit." But I never had this issue with the kids really. My kids were ducks to water about sibs. I always felt that this might be a sign of just how boring I really can be...but it's just a suggestion.

I had a student come to see me a week ago, excellent brother. He was in my 6th three years ago. I now have the sister he took care of then looking bleary eyed many a day. And now his mommma just had her new baby. He came to give me a hug, I love that kid, and say...you are right. These babies are just wonderful. But a ton of work. He managed to promise to wait to bring me one of his own until 35. What I'll be 95? I always like it when 13 to 15 year old brothers get a new baby, preferably a girl, just perfect timing...cause it is lots to do.

So the story is resolved and Lily has her Baby of the World. I recommend the book with a nice time for talking and sharing. Along with the arrival of their brother my two girls enjoyed this story. And, of course, Max and Ruby tales by wells. But what they needed most of course was to know that their Dad and Mom were solid in their love, they were still everything under the sun and moon and that I was going to love them, each one more than anything, forever and always as the gifts they really are. With a few promises I kept every week to do things "just us big girls".

Fantastic and funny!.......2007-04-10

keven henkes writes the best children's book that are great for kids as well as adults. Very cute and funny!

At first good,but then............2006-06-26

At first the book is good.After that the book gets a little dumb.I mean c'mon at frist she deosn't like him but when their cousin talks sqwot about him she tries to defend him and make her say ''Julluis is the baby of the world''.Witch was really dumb and odd.Also it uses unkind words like ''hate''.Get Chester's Way instead.

Baby Einstein: Who Lives in the Pond? (Baby Einstein)

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Bath Books
Baby Einstein
Fun for Baby, Help for mom
Our Favorite bath book!
SHARP EDGES!!

Baby Einstein: Who Lives in the Pond? (Baby Einstein)
Julie Aigner-clark
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Bath Book

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ASIN: 0786819103
Release Date: 2003-03-24

Book Description

Babies and toddlers will enjoy following the adventures of a young tadpole as he travels around his pond. As he explores the pond, he meets and learns about a variety of animals---fish, beavers, ducks, and more. Delightfully illustrated, and printed on durable vinyl, Who Lives in the Pond? is sure to help make bath time even more fun.

Customer Reviews:

Bath Books.......2007-07-07

My son loves to listen to me read to him while he is in the bath(also likes to chew on it)

Baby Einstein.......2007-01-12

My daughter is a big fan of the DVDs (well most of them) right now at 16 months her favorite is Old McDonald.

This book is cute but not as fun as What Floats which rhymes. It is not as cute because it does not rhyme and flow like What Floats but it is good that it is a bath and pool book.

Fun for Baby, Help for mom.......2006-11-01

We bought this book along with the "Water, water, everywhere" 8mos ago, when our baby was 10mos.
She was always trying to stand up and get out of the bathtub.
Now she sits in the tub "reading" her book. Then the problem was that she never wanted to get out of the tub, so now we keep the other book in the bench where we dry and dress her.

I don't feel the edge is sharp, as other reviewer said, and I do like that the story is very simple. My baby like to point out everything she sees on the pages, and now she "reads" the story by herself (in her own mysterious language).
With this books, bath time is now very fun for both of us.

Our Favorite bath book!.......2006-08-10

I started reading to my daughter while she was bathing at six months and now she ABSOLUTELY LOVES books! I think that is a very healthy and wonderful thing!! I attribute this love of books to the four baby einstein books we have read at bathtime for the past year every single night (we also have water water everywhere, mimi's toes & what floats). My daughter never gets sick of the stories and now that she is 16 mos. she loves to point out the animals on the last page; I ask her where is the duck? Where is the turtle? And she points to it, etc. It has been a wonderful teaching tool for me, and I wholeheartedly recommend all four baby einstein books for bathtime. Mine don't have sharp edges. Especially when they are warm from the bathwater. They're exceptionally well made, too. Used every night for a year and still they look like new! Read to your kids at bathtime - they can't run away or lose intrest - you've got a captive audience! Take advantage of it!

SHARP EDGES!!.......2006-04-27

This is a cute book, but it's useless. I won't let my 7 month old use it because I'm afraid the sharp edges of the book will cut his mouth (or hands, or legs).

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Board Book

Average customer rating:

Exciting new spin on Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Sorta Weird
There is hope!
Everyone should have this book
I should like this one, but...

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Board Book
Bill Martin , and Eric Carle
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0805080783
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Amazon.com

Fans of Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? will be delighted to see another title in this lilting call and response series. Much like their earlier picture books, Panda Bear features a string of fine feathered (and furry and scaly) friends watching over each other. In this book, however, all the animals are endangered, from a swinging spider monkey to a strutting macaroni penguin (kids will get a kick out of that name!) to a splashing sea lion. Carle's trademark tissue paper collages will be as familiar--and welcome--as the text ("Whooping Crane, Whooping Crane, what do you see?" "I see a black panther strolling by me."); young readers will quickly get the hang of the rhythm and join right in. The book concludes on a hopeful note, with a dreaming child seeing the ten f! eatured animals "all wild and free--/ that's what I see!" Martin includes a note on endangered species that may spark concern and interest in older readers--our hope for these disappearing creatures. (Ages 3 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

The third book in the bestselling Bear series, now in board book format Thirty-five years after their first groundbreaking collaboration, the creators of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? reunited to address the important topic of animal conservation. A Bald Eagle soars, a Spider Monkey swings, a Macaroni Penguin struts, and a Red Wolf sneaks through Bill Martin Jr's rhythmic text and Eric Carle's vibrant images, and all are watched over by our best hope for the future-a dreaming child.We are delighted to offer Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle's beloved tribute to endangered animals in a board book edition.

Customer Reviews:

Exciting new spin on Brown Bear, Brown Bear.......2007-10-03

This book follows the same pattern as the classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? but with an exciting new spin -- exotic, endangered animals. It also has a delightful surprise ending that makes it perfect for a bedtime story.

-Sherry North, author, Because You Are My Baby

Sorta Weird.......2007-09-11

My 2-year old twins like this book because they like to see the animals, but I think they'd get more out of it if more mainstream animals were used. I think they're a little thrown by animals like "macaroni penguin" - sounds like food to them. The dreaming child part is weird looking too.

I think it's great to use endangered animals, although my kids aren't exactly as concerned about animal endangerment as I am. It's not a bad book or anything, but honestly, if I had read it in a bookstore, I wouldn't have bought it.

There is hope!.......2007-08-19

My son loves Eric Carle books, and this is our most recent addition to his collection. I just caught on to the fact that all of the animals are endangered, but I think it's so cool that one of them isn't anymore! The bald eagle was recently taken off the endangered species list. I think that gives us (and especially kids) hope that more of those animals can come off that list, and maybe even in their lifetime.

Everyone should have this book.......2007-06-16

In a world of highways, malls, highrises, greed and land excavation, it's good to find a book that dares to dream of thick forests, lush jungles and untouched oceans where wonderful creatures can thrive. This is my favorite of all the "bear" books. It's statement is strong and I can't wait until my 16 month old daughter can recognize it.

I should like this one, but..........2007-03-07

I oughta like it, I want to like it, but it just left me flat. More to the point, it left my kids flat. The two stars I gave this were for the illustrations -- they are really cool, as you'd expect with Eric Carle. Normally, you can't go wrong with Bill Martin, but I guess everybody has their bad days. The language doesn't flow as well as the other bear books, and that makes it a little awkward for reading aloud. We have Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, and both are big favorites with the under-3 set around our house. Panda Bear just doesn't make the grade.

Average customer rating:

ANOTHER KEEPER
Reviewed by Julio P.S. 39
puddle trouble
I like Henry and Mudge.
Fan-freakin'-tastic

Henry And Mudge In Puddle Trouble
Cynthia Rylant
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689810032

Book Description

Henry and his 180-pound dog Mudge are best friends forever. And in this second book of their adventures, they venture out into the wet and happy world of spring.

Customer Reviews:

ANOTHER KEEPER.......2007-01-16

These are such wonderful books about a boy named Henry and the frienship that he shares with his big 180 pound dog Mudge. Nice Illustrations and easy to understand stories. They are great books and my 9 year old nephew loved these when he was in second grade. I bought some of these for him when he was 7. Now my son Ramon who is 7 loves them too.

Reviewed by Julio P.S. 39.......2006-05-07

In Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble you'll see how kids sometimes don't listen to their parents even when they want to. When Henry doesn't listen to his mother's advice about the Morning Glory will he able to fix the problems it causes? Find out why listening to your parents is important when you read this book. If you are the kind of kid who doesn't listen to your mom then this is the book for you. Check out other books in the Henry and Mudge series like Henry and Mudge and the Best Test.

puddle trouble.......2006-03-20

my son needed to read by himself. his teacher told me to get him the henry and mudge books. he really likes to read these

I like Henry and Mudge........2005-03-18

This book is great!!! I think one of your children would give it 5 stars. The kittens are very cute.

Fan-freakin'-tastic.......2004-06-08

When you're dealing with as big a star as author Cynthia Rylant, you can look back on the artist's early projects and see the blooming seeds of greatness that established themselves early on. As an author, Rylant has penned books that speak to the quiet still voice in all of us. Her, "When I Was Young In the Mountains" is a delicate return to the Appalachia of her youth. More recently her, "God Went to Beauty School" gives us a book that is both succinct and grandiose. With these works (and many others) in mind I decided to take a gander at her early reader series starring the irascible Henry and his sweet natured St. Bernard (or so I assume him to be) Mudge.

In this, the second book in the "Henry and Mudge" series, we follow our intrepid duo through three bite sized adventures. In "Snow Glory", it's Spring and Henry has fallen head over heels in love with a small blue flower that has bloomed. Though his mother tells him not to pick it, Henry is entranced by the plant and confesses this love to his dog. Unfortunately, Mudge listens intently to Henry and then proceeds to devour the plant. Initially angry, Henry understands that it is necessary to forgive his pet and the two continue companionably. In the second tale, "Puddle Trouble", Henry forgets to inform his father that he and Mudge are going puddle jumping in the wet April weather. When his pop comes looking for the two, his intentions are not as dire as they may first appear. Finally, the third tale in this collection, "The Kittens", is for me the best written of the bunch. The cat who lives next door to Henry and Mudge has kittens, and the two friends have a great deal of fun watching the sweet little balls of fur play. The neighbors like to put the kittens in a box on the porch in the sun to give the mama cat some time to rest. Mudge is greatly attached to the little creatures, and when he suspects that they are threatened, he retaliates in a fashion unseen until now in the series.

Each story in this collection deals with a serious topic, lightly told and playfully presented. The first is about forgiving people for being themselves. The second informs people to act responsibly and, when appropriate, irresponsibly too. The third, my personal favorite, is about finding hidden reserves of strength. Mudge is such a lovable clumsy fellow that for most of the book he's featured as a happy-to-lucky kind of pup. When he sees something he loves threatened, however, he reacts with a great deal of self-possession. Accompanying Rylant's sly tales are Sucie Stevenson's illustrations. Admittedly, I can take or leave these pics. They're certainly lighthearted and fun and they get the story across without difficulty. Just the same, it might have been nice to give these tales a little more depth or feeling. So thought I until I saw the last illustration. After the kittens have been threatened and a potentially dangerous dog has left the premises there is an excellent shot of Mudge with his paws protectively around the sides of the kittens' box. His head is down but he looks completely alert and ready, in case of further trouble. It's an image that stays with you.

Good clean fun sums up the "Henry and Mudge" series fairly well. But what separates these books from other series like "Junie B. Jones" or "Cam Jansen" is their moral core. Rylant has given these books some heart and a little soul. In a series, this is extraordinary. For an author of Rylant's skill, however, it's just to be expected.

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Puppies!

Follows Elmo's World format. - mostly

my16 month old daughter's favorite

Toddlers love Elmo and puppies

How could you go wrong with doggies???

Puppies! (Sesame Street® Elmos World(TM))
Mary Beth Nelson , and Jenny Miglis
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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Balls! (Sesame Street® Elmos World(TM))

Elmo's World: Animals! (Sesame Street® Elmos World(TM))

Babies! (Sesame Street® Elmos World(TM))

Where's Elmo's Blanket? (Nifty Lift-and-Look)

Elmo's Animal Adventures (Baby Fingers)

ASIN: 0375805753
Release Date: 2000-07-25

Book Description

Do you know how a puppy talks? Elmo does! Woof! Woof! Come along as Elmo learns some things puppies need to stay happy and healthy. Large flaps reveal a world of tail-wagging, playful puppy fun!

Customer Reviews:

Puppies!.......2007-10-09

Great book for kids. I already bought two and plan to buy more to share.

Follows Elmo's World format. - mostly.......2007-07-23

Cute short book showing that puppies need food, water, exercise and sleep. It also shows what dogs are feeling sometimes. The book mostly follows the format of the show where Elmo asks Dorothy and the reader questions. But, if you have a big Elmo's World fan then you will also be explaining where Mr. Noodle is after Elmo asks Dorothy a question. I also recommend "Where is Elmo's Blanket? and Elmo's Big Book" They are very interactive lift the flap books.

my16 month old daughter's favorite.......2006-09-23

By far my daughter's favorite book. She is 16 months and this is perfect for her. She does LOVE Elmo and puppies, so this is the perfect combination. The flaps are big, so she can do them herself which is great.

The story isn't really all that great, but she loves the pictures so much that the story doesn't matter.

Of course, it gets a lot of wear and tear just as any lift the flap book does, but I am amazed at how well it has held up.

Toddlers love Elmo and puppies.......2006-05-12

My 21 month old son loves this book. The flaps are nice and big and easy for him to open. It is a fun, short book with vibrant pictures. The book isn't going to last forever because the pages are fairly thin, but it's a fun book for the price.

How could you go wrong with doggies???.......2006-02-24

Great one for a 15 month old, especially if they like dogs, quick read and a "door" to open on each page. It took us a LONG time to get past the first page though since we had to really study the puppies. It was a while before she realized there were doggies on the other pages too since she loves to look at doggies so much.

Average customer rating:

Great Reading
Pulp fiction
Wonderful Work by Denise Fleming!
In the Small, Small Pond...
Not interesting

In the Small, Small Pond (Owlet Book)

Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0805059830

Book Description

Denise Fleming's Caldecott Honor book gives young readers a frog's-eye view of life in a pond throughout the seasons.

Customer Reviews:

Great Reading.......2007-01-07

Denise Fleming is great. This book is really fantastic and an excellent tool for science activities in the classroom.

Pulp fiction.......2006-03-26

My years spent in library school prepared me for all kinds of requests I would receive on that glorious day when I would become a children's librarian. I learned how to do reference interviews with five-year-olds and incorporate a fuzzy white mouse puppet into a preschooler storytime. I learned the best way to read "Bark, George" to screaming hoardes of children and what to do when a toddler throws up onto your carpet. I learned all of that but there were some things I didn't learn that would have been useful to know. Take ponds, for example. They're nice enough. Looking at them though you would have no idea that when you sit at an information desk in a children's room, one of the top requests you receive is, "Do you have any books on ponds?". Such questions always leave me a little stunned. You want books on ponds? Really? Why? I've never gotten a convincing answer to that question. All I know is that if I were to make a children's library from scratch, you can bet your bottom dollar that the pond and wetlands portion of the non-fiction section would be gigantic. Now sometimes people ask me for pond books and they want fiction. Picture books, to be specific. When that happens I can breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks to Denise Fleming and authors like her, there is no shortage of pond-related material out there. And when it comes to toddler storytimes, "In the Small, Small Pond" is a fine fine choice.

As with most Fleming picture books, we follow a particular animal from page to page in this story. In "Barnyard Banter" (a book this story has a close feel to) it was a duck. In "Lunch" it was a mouse. Here, it is a frog. After making a jaw-droppingly elegant leap past an awestruck child, it glides into the pond towards a series of small adventures. When it swims past some birds the text reads, "waddle, wade, geese parade", and near some turtles, "drowse, doze, eyes close". Herons make a dash for it, whirligigs turn above it, and when the winter comes it goes to sleep in a little hole of its own. "Cold nigh, sleep tight, small, small pond". Not only does the book show the wildlife living around a pond, and not only does it show the passing of the seasons, but it gives a pretty clear indication of the food chain and where exactly frogs fall on it.

Once again Jonas has returned to an artistic technique that's part collage part colored paper pulping. In some ways, "In the Small, Small Pond" shows an artistry that Jonas has never exhibited before. She does things with depth here that are beautifully accomplished. For example, at one point the frog is seen from above swimming below four or five whirligig beetles. The beetles are clearly perched on top of the water with little ripples emanating from their movements. The frog, in contrast, has the otherworldly underwater cast to it that animals get when they're below the surface of a lake or pond. So Jonas has managed to convey distance, the distortion of an image in water, and movement. All this with just her customary felt-paper technique.

I'd love to say that "In the Small, Small Pond" is the number one pond book readaloud out there, but to say such a thing would be lying to you. For one thing, "The Noisy Counting Book", by Susan Schade is the toddler storytime book I turn to at all times. For another, I always get "In the Small, Small Pond" mixed up with the fairly similar but more amusing, "Splash!", by Ann Jonas. Aside from these two books, however, Fleming's pond book is pretty darn fine. It reads aloud nicely, is great to look at, and a worthy purchase. It's not always my first choice at storytime, but rarely does it every disappoint.

Wonderful Work by Denise Fleming!.......2005-11-29

I like Denise Fleming's In the Small, Small Pond because she brings back memories now of when I was a young child and was learning to read. I can remember this particular book and it's wonderful illustrations. To look at her pictures and read the action words on each page is like really being there. I can imagine the sound of a firefly's wings hovering and the sight of minnows rushing away when something disturbs the water. Her choice in words and pictures together, make this book very easy to understand and hard to forget. I like Fleming's work in The Small, Small Pond because she bases her picture book from a frog's perspective. I think this is a wonderful idea for younger children. It may answer a child's questions about, "What are animals thinking?" This type of response is good for children because it stimulates the mind into wandering, why? Denise puts such a large amount of time in effort into what she does to prepare for a story as well as what she does to make the illustrations come alive. Her careful planning and creative ideas make her books very insightful. I think Fleming contributes to children's education very well. She shows areas such as science and nature in her books. I believe that since she puts so much time and effort into her planning, then authentically contributes to a child's education. In children's literature, she opens the door for imagination. Her illustrations are done by pulp-painting and she is very willing to give ideas and instructions on how to do them yourself. I think this idea is great because it can be inspiration to children who want to be writers or illustrators. She shows there is more to illustrating a story than simply throwing together words and matching them with pencil and crayon drawings. Her creativity is what keeps children interested. Good books invite children to play with new language, give excellent reference points for future understanding and might even open windows to other cultures. I believe that this book fits two of those criteria. In the Small, Small Pond shows young children how other animals prepare for the winter. Children could look at this book and then maybe compare it to some of the animals that are around their homes and remember what Fleming said about tadpoles, minnows and frogs then make connections. Another strong point that Fleming hits is a new way to say some of the words that children might hear every day. When the frog leaps into the water and makes a "splash", a child might think of what a "splash" sounds like. At the same time, a heron "plunges" into the water and then children can compare what a "splash" and a "plunge" sound like either in their head or sound it out. Fleming also allows children to use their imagination. A reader is allowed to see what it's like from a frog's point of view. He travels from the shores of the pond to under the water to learn about what each animal does for preparation for winter. As you can see, I love Fleming's In a Small, Small Pond and recommend it to any lower grades elementary classroom library, or even your own child's library at home!

In the Small, Small Pond..........2005-03-27

This Caldecott-winning book(a companion to Fleming's In the Tall, Tall Grass) was once one I too thought to be annoying and overrated. But when I first read this book, I was speeding through, without paying the needed attention deserved to these illustrations. And after reading about Fleming's strenuous process in making them (see Fleming's website for details), I was even more amazed, not to mention a little confused.

In the Small, Small Pond is about a pond (of course) and how the animals surrounding it react during the changing seasons. The one-line rhymes may be a little boring, but, again, the illustrations make up for that. Yes, "The Pond" may not be best for toddlers, but children old enough WILL appreciate it's content. Denise Fleming is a master at her work. Her books have went on to be some of my favorites and I hope to see more of them in the future. What I want to know is why Mrs. Fleming's recent books haven't been recognized by the Caldecott committe. I guess I'll never know...

As always, R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer

Not interesting.......2004-08-13

I am a mother of three children and have a home daycare. I have read lots of books and I have a large children's book collection. There are lots of other books that I enjoy reading with the children other than this one. I feel the art work is ok, but abstract and the story line is very uninteresting. The couple times I have attempted to read it to the kids, I feel that I have to try to keep there attention. The book doesn't seem to hold there attention and the text is very annoying. I am not sure what one person was talking about that wrote a review saying the book talks about the circle of life. I don't see it. If you are teaching about pond life. there would be some benifit in reading this book. It shows several pond creatures including the frog, tadpoles, heron, racoon, minnows, swallows eating bugs on the pond and Whirligigs on top of the pond. And Muskrats building a nest. The book ends with a couple pages of winter scenery a geese flying and a frog hibernating under the ground.

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
Have a Heart
are you KIDDING me?!!
Great book for any age read aloud!
Thought provoking

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War
Yukio Tsuchiya
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0395861373

Book Description

A zookeeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, whose turn it is to die, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that World War II will end so their beloved elephants might be saved.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-03-11

I just attended a Peace Prize Forum in Sioux Falls, SD, and this book was part of a curriculum for teaching children about peace and war. I think it is one of the most powerful books I have ever read.
This is a tender book about how war affects life, in a way accessible for children, and equally vivid and profound for adults.
The illustrations are also beautiful.

Have a Heart.......2007-02-08

This is a response to Tamara Lakeman's review:

It's a shame that there are people who feel that it is necessary to censor literature which brings awareness to all aspects of war, including death, compassion, and despair. Yes the elephants died as a result of being starved to death. However, the trainers were put in a position of having to carry out an order that forever scared them thus leading them to cry out in despair of what the war had done to them, and their beloved animals.

Would the reviewer feel the same if the story was about three American soldiers who were forced to let their Japanese friends starve to death in a cell because of being on opposing sides?

Oh, let's just sweep everything about death and dying under the rug. Let's cover our children's ears so that they may be ignorant and pretend that nothing bad ever happens including the millions of animals that are euthanized yearly because of irresponsible humans!

The story calls for awareness. It's making people aware of the terrible things that happen in our world. Every once in a while we all need a little wake up call. Maybe we can help in preventing these things from happening again in the future instead of retaining an egocentric, self centered, it's all about me lifestyle.

This reviewer forgets to mention that every August 15th, "Faithful Elephants" is read over the radio in Japan in hopes of bringing awareness of the effects of war. Does the reviewer know that zoos in Iraq were abandoned during this war? Many of those animals starved to death as well. Remember... History repeats itself.

I agree that reading the book as a bedtime story would be obviously inappropriate (as with any war story), however I do feel it will bring out the compassionate side of anyone who has a heart not just reserved for his or her own corner of the world.

The only reason why I will not read this book to my students in the classroom is that I would end up crying: I will however read it to my own children. Maybe one day I will go to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo Japan and a paper crane on the three elephants' memorial.

are you KIDDING me?!!.......2006-12-04

I found this book under the 'War and Peace' section of my local bookstore. I read it just out of curiosity... and WOW... Talk about a book that probably should NEVER EVER find it's way into a child's hands. I realize that it's intention is to talk about the cruelty and savagry of war, but I still think the subject matter is highly, HIGHLY uncalled for.

Basically, here's the story. During WW2 the officials of a Tokyo zoo decide that they need to kill all the zoo animals for fear the if they do not, the zoo will eventually be bombed and the animals will run wild. Clearly the only solution is to kill them (*scoff*). Anyway, so they officials go about poisoning all the animals, however every method they try does not work with the elephants. And so, naturally, they decide that the only way to kill these elephants is to starve them to death (forget a quick bullet to the head, no, only starving them will work.. AGH!)... So the book spends a good 5-6 pages following these poor elephants over a 2 week period as they slowly starve to death.

In the end, all the elephants lay dead in the cages, with limp trunks hanging between the bars. Nice. Fantastic bedtime story for children of all ages...

.... NOT!

Absolutely horrific!! Why not just take your children to the SPCA and make them watch animals be euthanized? There are things that children just do not need to have thrown in their faces, and this is one of them. Wait until they are in their teens are are able to really grasp the concept of war and death. This book is EXTREMELY emotionally disturbing and I can see it causing a great deal of harm to a senstive child.

Steer clear!

Great book for any age read aloud!.......2006-08-28

My students love hearing this book. It is different to see a picture that is a happy/sappy tale. They really get into this book asking a ton of questions throughout the story. It is a great book to use in the classroom as it ties in with many subjects!

Thought provoking.......2006-08-28

I teach Grade 5 children and the unit of work we were studying was "World Peace". We had read "Sadako" and talked a lot about WWII - then this book was recommended to me. My students sat enthralled as I read it.(I had forewarned them that it was very sad) It produced lots of great discussion and helped re-inforce the impact that war has on people and societies. An excellent book for older students.

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