The Jungle Book: A Pop-Up Adventure (Classic Collectible Pop-Ups)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • One of the best Pop-Ups I've seen
  • a beautiful gift
  • pop up art
  • Best Pop-Up yet!
  • His books are always amazing
The Jungle Book: A Pop-Up Adventure (Classic Collectible Pop-Ups)

Manufacturer: Little Simon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

FictionFiction | Lions, Tigers & Leopards | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1416918248

Book Description

In this stunning retelling of a phenomenal classic, honor is tested, battles of good over evil are waged, and the importance of family reigns supreme. True to Rudyard Kipling's original story, tree branches literally draw the reader in to this tale of Mowgli the Man Cub exploring the ruins of the Lost City, riding atop thundering elephants, and facing a fierce tiger attack! A must-have for every family's library, this epic pop-up adventure features paper engineering as intricate and magical as the very laws of the jungle.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of the best Pop-Ups I've seen.......2007-05-31

Full of imagination and creactivity that book is realy great and full of many impressive pop-ups. As I said one of the best I've seen. Highly recommended

4 out of 5 stars a beautiful gift.......2007-05-13

Incredible pop up art. My 3 yr old son loves it but need supervision to avoid tears. IT is very special - a great unique gift for 3-7 yrs.

5 out of 5 stars pop up art.......2007-03-09

this masterpiece is simply testing the limits of paper engineering. you'll be astonished and surprised every time you open the book. over and over again. even for the 20th time.

5 out of 5 stars Best Pop-Up yet!.......2007-02-07

The intricacy and engineering of this book is amazing. Each page is a masterpiece.

5 out of 5 stars His books are always amazing.......2007-01-19

We have about seven of his pop-up books and they are all great. If you have not bought one of his books, you will be amazed. It is definitely an art form. I have a 5 year old and he loves these books (he just got this one for his birthday). The incredicle pop-ups really make reading fun and add another dimension to these storybooks. I will contine to coolect them as they make new ones. The price is worth it and you should probably buy it here because I saw one of his books in Target for about 10 dollars more than on Amazon.
Tigers at Twilight (Magic Tree House, No. 19)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Good Book
  • MY BOY LOVES READING IT
  • Tigers at Twilight
  • read this one.
  • A Really Good Book
Tigers at Twilight (Magic Tree House, No. 19)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679890653
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Amazon.com

"This little dog is under a spell and needs your help. To free him, you must be given four special things:

A gift from a ship lost at sea,
A gift from the prairie blue,
A gift from a forest far away,
A gift from a kangaroo."

How would you feel if you found a note like this in your magic tree house? Eight-year-old Jack and his 7-year-old sister Annie love the funny, enchanted dog Teddy--and know they have no choice but to collect the gifts and break the mysterious spell. In Tigers at Twilight--the 19th adventure in award-winning author Mary Pope Osborne's popular Magic Tree House series--these brave, resourceful children have already found the first two gifts, and must find the third in "a forest far away." Knowing that the books in Morgan Le Fey's magic tree house have the power to transport them all over the world, they see their next destination on the cover of Wildlife of India. Once in the thick of the Indian jungle, it doesn't take them long to make friends with the monkeys, to see the huge gashes that tiger claws have made on the tree trunks, and to spot a python. This story is straight out of an episode of Wild Kingdom; the children spot animal after animal, with only a few close calls. When they find a rare tiger in a poacher's trap, however, the story turns around, and the children are eventually led to the third gift. A tribute to the disappearing tiger, and an animal-filled, action-focused adventure with plenty of cartoon-style illustrations, this slight book is sure to keep kids' attention. A generous layout combined with simple, short sentences promote quick reading that will build confidence in beginning readers. (Ages 4 to 8)

Book Description

Jack and Annie are whisked back in time to the jungle of India where they'll meet snakes and tigers and find ancient ruins.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Good Book.......2007-06-11

I purchased this book in order to replace a damaged book and I had no problems with the transaction and the price was great.

5 out of 5 stars MY BOY LOVES READING IT.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

4 out of 5 stars Tigers at Twilight.......2006-11-01

Magic Tree House: Tigers at Twilight # 19
by Mary Pope Osborne

Would you be excited if you had a tree house that could travel through time? That's what happens to 8 year-old Jack and 7 year-old Annie in the book Tigers at Twilight #19 by Mary Pope Osborne. So far this is the best book I read in the series because a tiger gets stuck in a bear trap and the kids try to rescue it. Then, the tiger is about to attack them, but I'm not saying any more. You should read the book to find out what happens.

Jared, 9
Cunniff School
Watertown, MA

2 out of 5 stars read this one........2005-12-15

no one shuld read this book becuse I don`t like it so no one shuld. Do you want to know why? Becuse I read ALL the rest of them and they were good sooo if you want to read one don`t read this one.

5 out of 5 stars A Really Good Book.......2005-03-20

Dear Reader,
Magic Treehouse Book #19 Tigers at Twilight is a really good book because Jack and Annie go to a forest in India with a dog named Teddy. This book is funny and scary!! I would recommend this book to kids that like all Magic Treehouse Books!
By, Jacob
Hug
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • All my kids love this book
  • Hug is the Greatest
  • This is a GREAT book....
  • This is good but not great
  • we love this author!
Hug

Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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  1. Good Night, Gorilla Good Night, Gorilla
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ASIN: 0763615765
Release Date: 2001-11-12

Amazon.co.uk

How can it be that a book with only one word--hug--repeated throughout, can be so good? The proof is in the pudding (or the wilds of Africa) in Jez Alborough's picture book Hug, a delightful mini odyssey of a baby chimpanzee on the hunt for his mum and a cuddle.

Our little friend wanders through the trees, witnessing many other animals from chameleons to giraffes as they snuggle together. "Hug," he says, happily, at first, but then with growing despair as he sees there are no hugs for him. The story is told purely by the expression on the little chimp's face as his hopes are built up and dashed again until eventually, with a huge smile, he finds his mum and reaps the reward.

Hug is a clever, unusual book that portrays the art of children's illustration at its very best: a story brought to life with the stroke of a brush through facial expressions and body language that children will immediately understand.

Ideal for sharing with small ones, this lovely book is a warm, comforting read that cannot fail to please. (Ages 1 to 4)

Book Description

"Alborough's simplicity results in another gem."
—School Library Journal


Bobo needs a hug. But his friends don't seem to understand. "Hug," he implores, time and again. Time and again his puzzled pals—from the smallest chameleon to the tallest giraffe—shrug and cuddle with their jungle mothers. As the lonely chimp's plea escalates, his friends grow concerned. Can the elephants lead Bobo to his heart's desire? Jez Alborough, the acclaimed author-illustrator of WHERE'S MY TEDDY?, IT'S THE BEAR!, and MY FRIEND BEAR transforms a total of three words—and some of the most tenderly expressive animals ever created—into an endearing tribute to love and belonging.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars All my kids love this book.......2007-07-20

I have three kids: 5,3,and1 year(s) old. They all love this book and because there isn't really much text, besides the word "hug" they can all read the story. After reading it to them it always gives us a reason to hug....and don't we all need a little reason to do that more?

5 out of 5 stars Hug is the Greatest.......2007-04-19

Few childrens' books are as tender and entertaining as this one. Just goes to show that all a kid really needs is a hug from someone they love, in this case Mommy.

A monkey is lost in the jungle. As he/she tries to find Mom the reader meets many colorful and fascinating animals. These exotic creatures are a great learning opportunity for younger readers to identify, imitate, even spell the names of each animal. And of course we are treated to a touching reunion with Mom.

A simple story, told with tenderness and sincerity.

5 out of 5 stars This is a GREAT book...........2007-04-11

My now 2 year old niece has had to have this book read to her every since she was about 11 months old. She still loves it to this day!! As a matter of fact she loves all the Jez Alborough books with little "Bobo" in them!! ANd any monkey is "Bobo" and needs a hug!!!

3 out of 5 stars This is good but not great.......2007-04-07

I bought this due to good reviews and great pictures but I have to say, I got bored with it quickly. My daughter just now 3 is just starting to get it.

5 out of 5 stars we love this author!.......2007-02-06

The illustrations are amazing! What's great about this book is that because of the limited use of words, a parent can embellish and vary the story each time it's read. It's also nice that the words are illustrated as opposed to written at the bottom of the page in a typestyle. It is SUCH a special book that conveys a sweet, simple message.
The Animal Boogie (Sing Along With Fred Penner)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great sing along book
  • Barefoot Books are the best!
  • The Animal Boogie
  • Rhythmic, fun, and educational
  • Great Activity Book For Teachers
The Animal Boogie (Sing Along With Fred Penner)
Debbie Harter
Manufacturer: Barefoot Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1905236220

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great sing along book.......2007-09-10

My students love this book! It has a very catchy tune and they love doing the motions for each animal. They beg me to do it!!

5 out of 5 stars Barefoot Books are the best!.......2007-05-04

Whenever my sister asks for recommendations for my three-year old's birthday, Christmas, etc. gifts, I give the same answer: ANYTHING from Barefoot Books! The day after receiving Walking Through the Jungle (Sing Along With Fred Penner) for her latest birthday I rushed to the computer and Amazon to order all of Barefoot's CD+books. They are all fantastic - my daughter listens to each of them at least twice a day. She took them to her daycare, as well, and her teacher promptly ordered all of them!

5 out of 5 stars The Animal Boogie.......2007-01-26

What an awesome book! Having read it once, I had to own it. The children in my early childhood classroom adored the rhythm of the text and joyously participated in the book when the CD was played. They couldn't help but move!

5 out of 5 stars Rhythmic, fun, and educational.......2007-01-14

A comment from another reader describes this book as "inane" and unoriginal, but I have to disagree. This book is wonderful! Studies show that repeating patterns of words and rhythms, with just a word or two changing between verses, actually helps strengthen beginning readers' vocabularies, word recognition, and understanding of sequence and structure, all important parts of literacy. The colors in this book are beautiful. There are many interesting details in the illustrations, and I noticed there are little ways that the human characters match up with the animal ones. The CD is great, too - there is a full vocal version as well as an instrumental version, and the tune is really bouncy and catchy. As the editorial review mentions, it is one of the few books I've found that actually includes a child with a disability, which I think is important for young readers to be able to see. I have a six-year-old and twin two-year-olds, and we enjoy this book very much.

5 out of 5 stars Great Activity Book For Teachers.......2006-06-25

Although this book references jungle animals, I use it as an activity when teaching my K-2 about the rainforest. The children absolutely love it. It can also be used as a way to compare the animals in the jungle vs the animals in the rainforest. This year the children put on a performance with the music from the CD. The children's faces were painted according to the animal they represented and they danced away. Just a little imagination and the ideas from this book can be endless....
Starry Safari
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Jeff Mack Rocks!
  • A fun read
  • Great book to add to your collection!
  • What a great little book!
  • A. D. Tarbox, Freelance Reviewer for Midwest Book Review
Starry Safari
Linda Ashman
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0152047662

Book Description

Beep! Beep! Beep! A daring girl and her trusty orange jeep are off on an exciting safari. There are giraffes to watch, rhinos to race, and wily crocodiles to avoid. And when a roaring lion crosses her path, she knows exactly what to do: roar back! But will she be as courageous when it's time for bed and there are lots of scary night noises?

Action packed from beginning to end, this rhyming adventure will keep young readers on the edge of their seats. Going on safari has never been more fun!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Jeff Mack Rocks!.......2007-06-13

The illustrations in this book are friendly and enchanting. They're filled with a sly bit of humor as well, which I find refreshing. And the kids are enchanted by the wild surroundings. I would love to see what Jeff could do with a children's book if he were the author as well!

5 out of 5 stars A fun read.......2007-01-05

Both my Kindergartener and my 2 yr old love this book! It's short, easy to read, but packed with fun and a cute ending! Recommend for all Prechool and Elementary ages.

5 out of 5 stars Great book to add to your collection!.......2006-08-02

My 2 year old can't get enough of this book. We have continually checked this book out of our library...every night he'd ask us to read it. This book has a great story and vivid illustrations. Can't live with out it!

5 out of 5 stars What a great little book!.......2006-07-07

Not only will you find yourself Beep Beep Beeping through the jungle safari with the brave little adventurer, but you'll love the rhythm of the Jeep and the surprises along the way! The surprise ending is the BEST! You'll want to purchase the Wild Toob of jungle animals by Safari Ltd. to go with this book! A perfect combination!

5 out of 5 stars A. D. Tarbox, Freelance Reviewer for Midwest Book Review.......2005-12-07

STARRY SAFARI left me with a smile on my face after I read it. The story is told in rhyme and is a fun read. The illustrations are also fun and go well with the story. I could easily see a three year old sitting for this book and imitating some of the book's animal sounds. This is one of those books where little children will ask to have the story read to them again, and again.
A. D. Tarbox, author of ALREADY ASLEEP (fall 2006)

The Jungle Book (Books of Wonder)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Jungle Book
  • Phyuick Yui
  • All time favorite
  • Not as marred in adaptation as others
  • I finally have my own copy
The Jungle Book (Books of Wonder)
Rudyard Kipling
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688099793
Release Date: 1995-09-27

Book Description

For the past one hundred years, Rudyard Kipling's classic tales of Mowgli, the lost boy raised by wolves in the jungles of India, have captivated children and adults alike.

Mowgli's days are filled with danger, wonder, and excitement. He learns the ways of the jungle from the wise old bear, Baloo, and the great black panther, Bagheera. He is befriended by the faithful wolf, Gray Brother, and is carried off by the crafty Monkey-People -- only to be rescued by the mighty python, Kaa. And through it all, Mowgli knows that he must someday face his sworn enemy: the ferocious man-hating tiger, Shere Khan.

Presented here in the author's preferred order are all of Kipling's thrilling Mowgli stories, as well as the beloved tale of the brave mongoose, Rikki-tikki-tavi. Brilliantly captured in eighteen lush watercolors by Caldecott Honor artist Jerry Pinkney, this handsome centenary edition will be treasured by readers of all ages.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Jungle Book .......2006-08-30

This is a beautiful edition of the wonderful childhood classic. I gave it to my twelve-year-old grandson, and he is enjoying it very much. The book is so much better than the movie! I love the way Kipling talks with his reader. I loved this book as a child myself and am very happy to have this great edition to give to my grandchildren.

5 out of 5 stars Phyuick Yui.......2005-01-27

This book was good because it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was also god beacause it had more than one story in it, like the one about the seal.The best one though was the one with Mowgli and it follows him through his life and him leaving and becoming a normal person.

5 out of 5 stars All time favorite.......2003-02-26

The Jungle Book is now one of my all time favorite books. When you read the book it makes you feel like you're there too. I like the way Rudyard Kipling has the animals talk. The main character in the story is a boy named Mowgli. Mowgli was abandoned by his mother and father and raised by wolves. I think
Mowgli is the perfect character for the story because he is brave, smart, and kind.The part I disliked the most in the story is when they keep going to the council rock. I thought it was boring. I liked the excitement in the book and the cliff hangers. Once I picked up the book I couldn't set it down again. I definitely recommend this book to anybody who is in for a challenge!

4 out of 5 stars Not as marred in adaptation as others.......2002-10-23

While I admire Disney's animation (and am looking forward to their Hamlet-ish The Lion King), I usually gripe about the changes they make in their movies from their source material. All one has to do is read the original Pinocchio, Peter Pan, or, supposedly, Bambi, to berate them for destroying classics. I probably should be bothered as well by their Jungle Book, except that I think that it was one of the cases where the marriage of animation, story and music achieves more than the original. Without the source material, it would be nothing, of course, but the wonderful songs (who can forget "Bare Necessities," "Trust in Me," or "I Wanna Be Like You"?) and the structure that turned Kipling's short tales into a two-hour movie create a gestalt that I'm not sure Kipling's tales do by themselves. This is probably sacrilege to the ears of the true Kipling fan, but I'm nothing if not opinionated.

The stories that make up the Jungle Book aren't solely about Mowgli, though, and it's the others, especially "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," that make this a definate must have.

5 out of 5 stars I finally have my own copy.......2002-02-04

I grew up reading and re-reading theses stories. I never found a compilation of the Mowgli stories I liked though, at least not an affordable one.

This one gave me not only Mowgli but Rikki-tikki-tavi. All with excellent illustrations that add but do not intrude on the stories.

This is a classic that should be on every bookshelf.
Who Is the Beast?
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Hooray for Who Is The Beast?
  • Aah, my favorite!
  • The Beast is the Best
  • Who is the beast?
  • The Beast is the Best!
Who Is the Beast?
Keith Baker
Manufacturer: Voyager Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152001220

Book Description

A friendly tiger is confused by jungle animals fleeing from a beast, until he discovers he is the beast! “Graced with a compelling beauty, this gifted author/illustrator’s imaginative story presents a timeless message to young readers.”--Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Hooray for Who Is The Beast?.......2005-07-28

As a parent of ten children (now grown) and a first grade teacher of 7 years now, I love this book-as do my students. It is colorful,encourages imaginative thinking and easy to follow. I use it for our animal unit as well as discussing story elements.

5 out of 5 stars Aah, my favorite!.......2003-08-22

A tiger wonders why everything avoids him, and compares his body
to other creatures. We love this book for the extraordinary artwork, full of detail.

5 out of 5 stars The Beast is the Best.......2001-07-18

I have no children of my own but have been a nanny for 6 years. Of all the stories I've read . . . this is by far the best! I give it to every person I know with children! Thank you for such a wonderful story, such beautiful artwork and such wonderful sounds!

5 out of 5 stars Who is the beast?.......2000-07-28

This is a true picture book-as the pictures tell the story beyond the words. The illustrations go the distance for story time reading, as well as working for up close inspection (be sure to look for that unconcerned snail on every page!). I just never tire of this book and its illustrations, and I have been a fan of it for six years. The illustration of carp, tiger, and jungle folliage provide visual saturation satisfaction. The simple repetitious rhymes are fun to say, they roll off the lips in a way not always found in rhyming text, with wonderful repeating sounds. The story message is sweet, loud and clear, yet subtle at the same time. Thank you for this gem, Mr. Baker!

5 out of 5 stars The Beast is the Best!.......2000-05-16

A gentle reminder that we are not all so different after all.

My two young boys love this book - just as they love The Magic Fan by the same author. It's one of their favorite bedtime stories.

The illustrations feature some of the most beautiful colors and overall design. My kids really like the way the artwork goes all the way to the edge of the page.

We'll probably buy everything else by this author.
The Jungle Books (Signet Classics)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Super Reader
  • Heart pounding Tale
  • Heart pounding Tale
  • A Nicer read
  • What magic lies between the covers of this book!
The Jungle Books (Signet Classics)
Rudyard Kipling
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451529758

Amazon.com

No child should be allowed to grow up without reading The Jungle Books. Published in 1894 and 1895, the stories crackle with as much life and intensity as ever. Rudyard Kipling pours fuel on childhood fantasies with his tales of Mowgli, lost in the jungles of India as a child and adopted into a family of wolves. Mowgli is brought up on a diet of Jungle Law, loyalty, and fresh meat from the kill. Regular adventures with his friends and enemies among the Jungle-People--cobras, panthers, bears, and tigers--hone this man-cub's strength and cleverness and whet every reader's imagination. Mowgli's story is interspersed with other tales of the jungle, such as "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," lending depth and diversity to our understanding of Kipling's India. In much the same way Mowgli is carried away by the Bandar-log monkeys, young readers will be caught up by the stories, swinging from page to page, breathless, thrilled, and terrified. (Ages 9 to 12)

Book Description

The adventures of Mowgli, a man-child raised by wolves in the jungle, have captured the imaginations not just of children, but of all readers, for generations.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Super Reader.......2007-08-27

Rather than being raised by apes, it is wolves that fulfill for the family role for the young boy Mowgli after he escapes being tiger snacks.

Shere Khan will continue to be his antagonist, and he will gain advice and assistance from other jungle denizens as he grows to manhood.

This also has the pretty cool heroic mongoose tale Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

4 out of 5 stars Heart pounding Tale.......2007-02-22

"The Jungle Books" by Rudyard Kipling are adventures of Mowgli and friends. Mowgli is a boy who is kidnapped as a baby by a tiger. He is raised by wolves and taught the laws of the jungle by Baloo the bear and Bagheera the black panther. Mowgli is then kicked out of the wolf pack because of Shere Khan the tiger who swore to kill Mowgli one day. Mowgli learns all the ways of the jungle. He eventually kills Shere Khan. Baloo is a lovable bear who teaches Mowgli the ways of the jungle and how to respect it. Bagheera is a feared and wise black panther who befriends Mowgli in all situations. In "Kaa's Hunting", Mowgli is kidnapped by the Bandar-log monkeys. Monkeys are not highly respected in the jungle community because they have no leader. Baloo and Bagheera seek the help of Kaa the Python to rescue Mowgli. The stories "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" and "The White Seal" have nothing to do with Mowgli and his adventures, but they offer valuable lessons. The lesson in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" is to trust yourself and the loyalty in friends.
The story "The White Seal" is about Aleuts coming to Novastoshnah every year and skinning hundreds of seals. The only white seal ever born on the island, Kotick, wants to find a new island to stay on, so that the people will not know where to look for the seals. This way no more seals will be killed. Kotick wanders for many years in search of a new island to live on. Once he finds one, he goes back to tell the rest of his herd, but they don't believe him. He challenges one of the other males to a fight and if he wins, they will go with Kotick to the new island. In the end, all the other seals die because none of them would go with him, so he taught them all a lesson.
In "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi", a curious mongoose wanders into a garden. He meets a cobra named Nag. Because mongooses naturally eat snakes, Rikki-Tikki kills Nag. Nagina, Nag's wife gets mad at Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and threatens to bite his owners. Rikki-Tikki crushes all of his eggs in the nest. I liked this story, but didn't like how it didn't tie into the adventures of Mowgli.
In "Toomai of the Elephants", a young boy falls asleep on his elephant. The elephants then march off to a hill far away. Here the boy wakes up to find thousands of elephants all stomping in the same pattern, at the same time. The boy has seen the dance of the elephants. When he returns to his father, he tells him that, but he doesn't believe him. I disliked how that this story also had nothing to do with Mowgli and his adventures.

4 out of 5 stars Heart pounding Tale.......2007-02-22

"The Jungle Books" by Rudyard Kipling are adventures of Mowgli and friends. Mowgli is a boy who is kidnapped as a baby by a tiger. He is raised by wolves and taught the laws of the jungle by Baloo the bear and Bagheera the black panther. Mowgli is then kicked out of the wolf pack because of Shere Khan the tiger who swore to kill Mowgli one day. Mowgli learns all the ways of the jungle. He eventually kills Shere Khan. Baloo is a lovable bear who teaches Mowgli the ways of the jungle and how to respect it. Bagheera is a feared and wise black panther who befriends Mowgli in all situations. In "Kaa's Hunting", Mowgli is kidnapped by the Bandar-log monkeys. Monkeys are not highly respected in the jungle community because they have no leader. Baloo and Bagheera seek the help of Kaa the Python to rescue Mowgli. The stories "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" and "The White Seal" have nothing to do with Mowgli and his adventures, but they offer valuable lessons. The lesson in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" is to trust yourself and the loyalty in friends.
The story "The White Seal" is about Aleuts coming to Novastoshnah every year and skinning hundreds of seals. The only white seal ever born on the island, Kotick, wants to find a new island to stay on, so that the people will not know where to look for the seals. This way no more seals will be killed. Kotick wanders for many years in search of a new island to live on. Once he finds one, he goes back to tell the rest of his herd, but they don't believe him. He challenges one of the other males to a fight and if he wins, they will go with Kotick to the new island. In the end, all the other seals die because none of them would go with him, so he taught them all a lesson.
In "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi", a curious mongoose wanders into a garden. He meets a cobra named Nag. Because mongooses naturally eat snakes, Rikki-Tikki kills Nag. Nagina, Nag's wife gets mad at Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and threatens to bite his owners. Rikki-Tikki crushes all of his eggs in the nest. I liked this story, but didn't like how it didn't tie into the adventures of Mowgli.
In "Toomai of the Elephants", a young boy falls asleep on his elephant. The elephants then march off to a hill far away. Here the boy wakes up to find thousands of elephants all stomping in the same pattern, at the same time. The boy has seen the dance of the elephants. When he returns to his father, he tells him that, but he doesn't believe him. I disliked how that this story also had nothing to do with Mowgli and his adventures.

4 out of 5 stars A Nicer read.......2007-01-01

Though Walt Disney and Enid Blyton are my fav picks for children, The Jungle Book is a nicer read. Mowgli is just a loving character and as an Indian version of the Jungle Book is a fav among kids in Hindi, this is a sure pick for all children. Rudyard Kipling takes kids for a ride to an adventure with thrills and fantasies - it all depends on the taste and choice of read. However, I recommend this book as this is fun read and kids in my library too, love to read and watch The Jungle Book. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

5 out of 5 stars What magic lies between the covers of this book!.......2006-02-22

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these wonderful stories again, and it was a bonus having all of Rudyard Kipling's stories together in one volume. This book has all the Mowgli stories, plus other favourites like "Riki-Tiki-Tav", "Toomai of the Elephants", and many more. Reading these again affirmed my belief of Kipling's great skill as a storyteller. These stories had appeal for me when I was younger, but they have a different appeal for me now. Kipling's descriptions and characterizations are wonderful, and they put the reader right there in the jungle with Mowgli and Bagheera, and all Mowgli's other friends. We who love to read should not forget to read these wonderful stories once in awhile. Modern short story authors still have to go some to even begin to match these classics by a great author.
We All Went on Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania (Travel the World) (Travel the World)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A beautiful book!
  • Excellent writing and graphics
  • Safari
  • Excellent book about Masai culture
  • What a wonderful book!
We All Went on Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania (Travel the World) (Travel the World)
Laurie Krebs
Manufacturer: Barefoot Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1841484784

Product Description

Join Arusha, Mosi, Tumpe and their Maasai friends as they set out on a counting journey through the grasslands of Tanzania. Along the way, the children encounter all sorts of animals including elephants, lions and monkeys, while counting from one to ten in both English and Swahili. The lively, rhyming text is accompanied by an illustrated guide to counting in Swahili, a map, notes about each of the animals, and interesting facts about Tanzania and the Maasai people.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A beautiful book!.......2007-10-12

Our whole family loves this book. My son, now 3, learned to count to ten in English by reading this at bedtime almost every night. We are just now starting to read the Swahili words too. The information, spellings of the Swahili words and their pronounciations, even the names of the children are all accurate (I speak Swahili to moderate fluency). One note... Most Maasai do not even speak Swahili, rather they speak Maa! But that doesn't really matter. We love the book anyway, and the Maasai do live with all of the wildlife depicted on this wonderful safari! I would say this book is appropriate from age 1, as it has a very nice cadence to it that is calming before bedtime and the pictures are very engaging. Don't wait until age 4!

5 out of 5 stars Excellent writing and graphics .......2006-11-10

My son, now 22 months, loves this book. We started reading it less than 2 months ago and he can name all the animals and starts to count pretty well. The writing and graphics are excellent. The book has added information that he can learn when he's older, like the Swahili names for numbers and also a map of Tanzania and Kenia. Definitely recommend it.

5 out of 5 stars Safari.......2006-03-24

Great book for young and old. My 6 year old loves this book. The pictures are beautiful and she enjoys learning another language.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent book about Masai culture.......2004-07-15

This book starts with a story about Masai culture and also an introduction to how to say their numbers. What really fascinated me were the facts in the back. It tells you about Tanzania, the Masai culture, some words in their language and also a little about how they name their children. I love learning about African culture so I absolutely loved this book!

5 out of 5 stars What a wonderful book!.......2004-03-10

We borrowed this book from the library and enjoyed it so much we bought a copy to keep. My 3 1/2 year old son loved the counting journey and learning to say all the animals and numbers in swahili. What a fun way to learn to count and speak a new language!
Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme (Sharing Nature with Children Book)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Fabulous!
  • Fan-tastic!
  • Highly recommended.
  • Over in my classroom!
  • Jungle fever
Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme (Sharing Nature with Children Book)
Marianne Berkes
Manufacturer: Dawn Publications (CA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1584690925

Book Description

Sing, clap, and count your way among enchanting rainforest animals to the rhythm of the whimsical favorite, "Over in the Meadow." This rainforest is teeming with monkeys that hoot, ocelots that pounce, parrots that squawk, and boas that squeeze! It won't take much to have your child joyfully hooting and squawking too. And the illustrations - all done in polymer clay - are truly remarkable, vividly conveying the abundant energy of a rainforest. This book was created by the award-winning author/illustrator team that brought you Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fabulous!.......2007-04-19

Rhythm, rhyme, nature, and counting mean this book offers something in the content areas of language arts, music, science, and math. But there's more! Author Marianne Berkes made sure her young readers would also experience many movement possibilities. As a children's physical activity specialist (author: A Running Start: How Play, Physical Activity and Free Time Create a Successful Child), I couldn't be more pleased with this inclusion! And if all that isn't reason enough to buy this book, Jeanette Canyon's incredible illustrations will help children fall in love with art.

5 out of 5 stars Fan-tastic! .......2007-04-16

Having collected all of Marianne Berkes books this is by far the best! We thought nothing could top her "Ocean" book but...this does! The wording is something the children do readily respond too! Mental pictures take over and the children become very animated in the telling of the story and take on the differnet animal sounds and postures.
This book is a winner for all who take the time to introduce children to their world far removed from the everyday life. You can see their imaginations expanding as the story unfolds! The illustrations and colors by Jeanette Canyon draw the cildren to Marianne Berkes' books, like bees to honey.

5 out of 5 stars Highly recommended........2007-04-14

Children's librarian and teacher Marianne Berkes presents Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme, a softcover picturebook that teaches young readers the numbers one through ten with an engaging, singsong rhyme about various wild animals of the rainforest. "Over in the jungle / Wearing wings of shiny blue / Lived a morpho butterfly / And her little morphos two. // 'Flit,' said the mother. / 'We flit,' said the two. / So the flitted and they fluttered / Wearing wings of shiny blue." Of particular note are the brilliant color illustrations, created as textured relief sculptures in polymer clay by extraordinarily talented artist Jeanette Canyon. Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy studying the amazing, vividly colorful artworks; the last few pages of Over in the Jungle offer some fun facts about rainforest animals, as well as tips from both the author and the artist about the process used to create the book. Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Over in my classroom!.......2007-03-23

What a fun and glorious time my students have had with this book. We own all the "Over in the Meadow" pattern books and I could not resist this one either. My students never tire of these books and this one was no exception. With each reading, there is a new discovery and my students can never decide which rainforest creature is their favorite. Not only is this book fiction, but the information at the back of the book has provided students with some interesting facts and was an asset in our study of the rainforest. The storybook has been inspirational as a model for our own rendition of this old and favorite poem and song.

4 out of 5 stars Jungle fever.......2007-03-02

When you discover a phenomenal artist who appears solely under the auspices of a single small publisher, it's like finding hidden treasure. I had that very feeling when I found the work of Jeanette Canyon a year ago. She had just finished work on "City Beats" by S. Kelly Rammell when I ran across the book and was entranced by her format. Working entirely in polymer clay, Ms. Canyon imbues her images with so much light, life, and motion that you'd swear her creations were animated stills rather than original sculptural art. Somehow, I had missed Ms. Canyon's previous collaboration with one Ms. Marianne Berkes when they came out with, "Over In the Ocean: In a Coral Reef," (which was the recipient of the Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year, doncha know). As such, "Over In the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme," is very much the same deal. Having adapted that old song "Over In the Meadow" to different locales, Berkes takes a tried and true format and simply fills it to overflowing with a vast array of rainforest creatures. The result could easily have been a hashed do-over without any originality. Instead, the adaptation is smooth and seamless, the facts at the back of the book quickly correcting any misunderstandings. There are also tips on telling this book aloud for storytime, and even a step-by-step process of how Canyon creates her art. What could easily have degraded into a rote form emerges instead as lush and detailed as its tropical subject matter. Color me impressed.

The book opens as the mottled canopy of a rainforest, seen from high above, fills the interior cover. On the first two-page spread, two marmosets are swinging gaily across a soft rising sun. "Over in the jungle / Where the trees greet the sun / Lived a mother marmoset / And her marmoset one. / 'Swing,' said the mother. / 'I swing,' said the one. / So they swung and they hung / Where the trees greet the sun." Colors pop out at the viewer as animals tumble over and above one another in a haze of action and rhyme. We see the wide iridescent blue of the morpho butterflies fluttering above their now discarded chrysalises. We see sweet honey bears sipping nectar and howler monkeys, their mouths all agape, as they hoot and holler up a storm. By the end, the book rounds everything out with a huge double page spread of all the animals featured, hidden amongst the different striations of the rainforest, from the forest floor to the tops of the trees or "emergents." Kids are encouraged to locate and count all the creatures they saw before. "When you find all the creatures then this rhyme is done."

It's the little things that sometimes impress me the most. Sure, I could wax rhapsodic over the sheer range of colors and ethereal images that appear in this book. But you know what I really love about Canyon's work? She cares about details. For example, as the book counts up from one to ten, a single leaf on the left-hand page carries the imprint of each number. And sitting on that leaf is a glistening raindrop. You might not notice, in fact it would be easy to miss it, but the number of raindrops increase with every number. They do so with a great deal of subtlety, though, so you wouldn't necessarily notice the first few reads. But really, that's what I love about the book. Multiple readings yield incredible rewards. I'm definitely not alone in cooing over the marbleized orange/red leaf cutter ants as they chew through an enormous leaf. And look! A second reading shows that somehow or other Canyon found a way to throw shadows from behind her subject matter. How do you outline the shadow of an ant from the underside of a leaf made out of clay? Or convey a sense of motion when a poison dark frog throws itself up and backwards towards a sharp pink bromeliad? Talent, possums. Just sheer talent.

A couple extra facts wouldn't have been out of place, of course. I'd have loved a definition of a "bromeliad", though the explanation that a mother poison dart frog will put her babies in one helped a little when coupled with Canyon's pictures. Still, some source notes would not have been out of place. Every once in a while my library's clientele will suddenly start a rainforest project, and any and every book I have on the topic is desired. Had Ms. Berkes put a small tot-friendly Bibliography of a scant two or three books in the back it would have made this book a fabulous storytime AND non-fiction source. Ah well. You go with what you've got.

None of this is to say that the back matter in this book isn't welcome. There's a printed selection of sheet music which allows the more talented amongst us to sing this song in our story programs. An amusing section entitled "How Many Babies Do They Really Have?" also clarifies points like the fact that in spite of the delightful suggestion that sloths can have nine babies at once, this is not actually the case. One wonders why it was put in the book in the first place, but at least the author had the good grace to nip concerns on the factual matter of the text in the bud. A nice portion on "The Rainforest Community" covers the four layers of tropical rainforest and even gives some nice websites for further information (kudos there).

It's a surprising little book, giving far more to the reader than they'd expect to receive. It's clear from the get-go that Ms. Berkes is certainly a former librarian, knowing as she does how important it is to put something this storytime-friendly into publication. Though I've a quibble here or there, this is a strong effort and worth owning. It also happens to make a very nice complement to Graeme Base's The Water Hole. Two thumbs up.

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