Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)

Book Description

"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addie he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

Customer Reviews:

Very cute..........2007-10-17

My daughter is only 2.5yrs old so doesn't understand yet alot of the meaning behind this book, but she will... and in the meantime she loves the panda. It's a keeper, for sure.

Great for philosophy enthusiasts of any age (and anyone who likes big pandas).......2007-09-22

Zen Shorts is a picture book written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. But it's also a short story collection. And it's also a philosophy book. And it has a giant panda. Oh, and it is a Caldecott Honor book too.

The story starts when siblings Addy, Michael, and Karl meet Stillwater, a large Panda who wanders into their backyard to retrieve his umbrella. I love the opening scenes of the story. Karl, the youngest sibling, is looking out a window and telling Michael he sees a huge bear. Eventually all of the kids go out and say hello to Stillwater. Addy introduces Karl, who is "shy around bears he doesn't know." I find that phrase so enchanting. This kind of charm continues throughout the book.

The next day Addy meets Stillwater for tea. Then Michael and Stillwater hang out. Then Karl goes swimming with Stillwater.

Each outing is accompanied by an appropriate short story. The first is about a man (panda) who gives a gift to a robber. Another is about a man who knows that luck is a many-faceted thing. The final story is about a monk carrying an unnecessary burden. I'll never explain the stories as well as Muth tells them, so you should just read the book.

The illustrations of Stillwater and the children are beautifully rendered watercolors. The coloring is subtle with quite intricate line work for the drawings. The stories between the "real" story are printed on pastel backgrounds and illustrated with silhouettes so that they have a clearly different look from the rest of the book.

When you're finished you should also check out the afterward which explains the underlying philosophy for each story. (Muth has a lot of Buddhist/Taoist influences.)

This is a great book to read with older children because even if they don't get the philosophy, the stories are approachable and they'll get something from it. (Even youngsters will enjoy the pictures.) It's a great introduction to philosophy, a fact that becomes clear after reading the afterward, for "students" of any age. Muth does an admirable job creating a picture book that children and grownups can enjoy together.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!.......2007-09-19

this book has it all, great watercolor paintings (i am a classically trained artist so this is important to me), great story, and meaningfull messages. i read this to my two year old daughter who is a book fanatic and can sit quietly for more than an hour and listen to long stories. for those of you with very small kids who may just be begging to read longer stories hear is some advice 1.don't give up if your child does not sit through the whole book the first time you read it small children, like my daughter, like farmiliar things and sometimes it just takes a few passes for them to reconize and chose a certain story, 2.don't chose to read a book when your child is bubbling over with energy, and 3.with longer stories it can also help to use a lot of inflection and tone to create intrest before your little one starts turning the page. this book is moderate in wording, not super long but not as simple as short verses or ryming stories. this book has a certain eligance to it that reflectes its message. it is just beautiful.

Gentle way to raise issues w/ kids.......2007-09-18

I like to treat my kids with respect and gentleness. Books that help me are a treasure. Jon Muth is a regular source of those kinds of books. Zen Shorts is not overdone or watered down. It is simple and beautiful and useful. It makes great literature more accessible to young folks. It helps parents and kids trying to live a more mindful or aware life.

A review by a five year old.......2007-09-15

My son Tyler says:

"This book is really great. From this book I learned about friendship and kindness, even though I'm already a kind boy. And I learned that good luck and bad luck are all mixed up. Please buy this book for your child. Bye."

Average customer rating:

What a Great Read!
Best Series EVER!!!
Must read this book
An Amazing Read
Fantastic

Golden Tree (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
Kathryn Lasky
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

River Of Wind (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
To Be A King (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
Coming Of Hoole (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
First Collier (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
The Outcast (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 8)

ASIN: 0439888069

Book Description

Coryn, Soren, and the Band preside over a new Golden Age of the Great Tree under the subtle influence of the Ember. All seems well, but beneath the prosperity of peace Coryn is tortured by the suspicion that his evil mother, Nyra, is a hagsfiend and that his own blood carries the haggish taint. He wanders afar searching for the truth from hagsfiends themselves - putting the Great Tree in danger. Soren & the Band follow their new king to strange parts to guard him from the consequences of his obsession.

Customer Reviews:

What a Great Read!.......2007-09-04

This book was great! I really enjoyed reading this book.

In the Golden Tree, The Band and the young King Coryn leave the tree. The ember that Coryn retrieved has made the Island of Hoole in an everlasting summer, where everything is golden, even in the time of the white rain. Otulissa stays behind, and finds that not everything is golden there. Two owls become obsessed, and come up with crazy rituals and performances. The time at the Great Tree is an unfortunate one. Someone must get word to the Band, but who?

I have to say, my favorite part was either the big battle or the part with Madam Plonk. I think that everyone will be happy with this suspenseful and exciting book.

Best Series EVER!!!.......2007-07-13

I own every book in this series and they get better every time! Start with book 1 then go in order because it won't make sense and won't be as good if you don't.

Must read this book.......2007-05-07

Golden tree keeps you locked into the story of all the owls of gahoole. I was so caught up I read the whole book in one day!! The whole series is a must read.

An Amazing Read.......2007-04-27

I read this book, and it was fantastic! The Golden Tree is perhaps one of Mrs. Lasky's best books in the entire Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. The Band finally makes a comeback, and Coryn is getting used to being King. Soren's chicks also hatch, though I was disappointed there wasn't much about them in The Golden Tree.

Coryn and the Band go on a journey to discover whether Nyra is really a hagsfiend, and if Coryn's blood is tainted due to his evil heritage, but end up finding out something totally different and possibly even more dangerous. A dark secret from the past is unearthed, and is in Nyra's clutches. Coryn and the Band need to stop Nyra before it's too late, and an important, beloved character nearly dies, and another character does die. I was practically on the edge of my seat with excitement!

Meanwhile, in Coryn's absence, Otulissa is left to deal with the annoying Whiskered Screech Owl, Gemma, and Elyan the Great Gray Owl. Both have become obsessed with the Ember of Hoole, and many Guardians start to follow them. Eventually, even Otulissa is powerless to stop them, and the Guardians' only hope of alerting Coryn lies in one of the most unlikely of owls.

A character mentioned in Book 1, Bess the Boreal Owl, Grimble's favorite daughter, reappears as the Keeper of the Palace of Mists in The Golden Tree. However, Bess, like Soren's daughters, Pellimore, and Eglantine, also has no dialogue, except for flashbacks.

One of the book's greatest surprises was Madame Plonk's amazing personality transformation, from a spoiled, fat old singer to a warrior gadfeather. There are also hints at new romances, and a brand-new owl kingdom. I can't wait for The River of Wind to come out!

The Golden Tree is a must-read for any fantasy lover!

Fantastic.......2007-02-11

There was a nearly six-month lapse between "To Be a King" and "The Golden Tree," and I was not disappointed by this 12th installment of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series.

A brief summary: The Great Ga'Hoole Tree is glowing gold from the Ember of Hoole's influence, and the Island of Hoole has entered a state of perpetual summer. But after King Coryn and the Band leave the tree, Otulissa soon discovers that all that's gold is not necessarily good. The Ember enthralls the owls of Ga'Hoole, and many of them begin to act strangely, especially Gemma the Whiskered Screech Owl and Elyan the Great Gray Owl. When this strange behavior goes too far, it becomes clear that someone must get word out to the king and the Band.

"The Golden Tree" is suspenseful, and interlaced with the excitement and quality I've long since come to expect of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. Fans of the books will not be disappointed, and the cliffhanger at the end will leave them looking forward to Book 13, "The River of Wind," set for release by July 1st. All in all, a fantastic read!

Dragons: A Pop-Up Book of Fantastic Adventures

Average customer rating:

Dragons
Cool pop-up book... lots of teeth, fangs and scales
Love these dragons!
Pop-Up Book
A Wonderful Adventure!

Dragons: A Pop-Up Book of Fantastic Adventures
Keith Moseley
Manufacturer: Abrams Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Castle: Medieval Days and Knights (A Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-up Book)
The Jungle Book: A Pop-Up Adventure (Classic Collectible Pop-Ups)
Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Sharks and Other Sea Monsters
Mommy?
Christmas Pop-up

ASIN: 0810949008

Book Description

Dragons are popular as never beforeÂ—and here they pop up in fire-breathing action!

Five dramatic dragon stories from around the world, including Beowulf and the Firedrake, St. George and the Dragon, and those from ancient China and Japan come to life, literally flying from the pages. Dynamic paper-engineering has these magnificent dragons snapping their jaws, casting fire, and flapping their massive wings. A book sure to be a hit with dragon-lovers of all ages.

Customer Reviews:

Dragons.......2007-10-04

I'm a little disappointed of this book.because it's too slim book for the price. but it is so wonderful pictures.

Cool pop-up book... lots of teeth, fangs and scales.......2007-04-06

The fantasy-oriented D&D types among us will revel in this boldly illustrated pop-up book... The dragons literally leap out at you, all tooth, claw and leathery, scaly skin. There are abbreviated versions of several famous dragon stories -- St. George, Maud & The Wyvern, The Sea King's Daughter, Beowulf, etc. -- and flashy artwork to match. The pop-up elements are relatively simple, which also means they are more durable than some of the more clever, complicated other books. If you're a dragon fan, you'll dig this book... a lot!

Love these dragons!.......2007-03-27

This is a great book of dragons; the pop ups are excellent! My niece loves it - she is a big dragon fan. I'd recommend it highly!

Pop-Up Book.......2007-03-10

I purchased this book for my 6 year old grandson. He just loved it. He was so excited about the book that he took it to school the next day to share it with his classmates. The book just sparks the imagination.

A Wonderful Adventure!.......2007-02-21

This is truly a wonderful adventure for adults and children. I did a whole series of reading on castles, knights, kings,queens,...a month of "Royal Reading"! I ended with "Dragons: A Pop-Up Book",and each page brought "ooo's and ahh's" from the class, and LOTS of discussion at the end of the book.This book paved the way to some very creative writing from students that normally had very little to say. Thank You Keith Moseley and Amazon!

Notebook for Fantastical Observations (Spiderwick Chronicles)

Average customer rating:

Now I can keep track
Fantastical Observations
A book which comes in handy.
Perfect for boys and girls!
repeat read

Notebook for Fantastical Observations (Spiderwick Chronicles)
Holly Black
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You (Spiderwick Chronicles)
Care and Feeding of Sprites (Spiderwick Chronicles)
The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set): The Field Guide; The Seeing Stone; Lucinda's Secret; The Ironwood Tree; The Wrath of Mulgrath
The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5)
The Nixie's Song (Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1)

ASIN: 1416903453

Book Description

Can't get enough of the faerie world? Well, Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, the brave souls that helped Mallory, Simon, and Jared Grace bring their amazing adventures to a worldwide audience, are here to help you find yours!

Presenting The Spiderwick Chronicles Notebook for Fantastical Observations. This handy interactive storybook features seventeen mini-adventures collected from faerie watchers around the globe as well as plenty of pages for readers to add their own stories, maps, charts, notes, lists, diagrams, and drawings. So get ready to embark on your own faerie adventure -- all you need is an observant eye and an open mind. Just keep your wits about you. After all... their world is closer than you think....

Customer Reviews:

Now I can keep track.......2006-08-25

Now I can keep track of all those funny things that happen during the day and never new what it was. I knew there was always someone (or something) behind all the shadows, objects moving around, hiding things on me, thinking I was nuts...... A perfect journal for everyone to keep track of happenings and thoughts.

Fantastical Observations.......2006-07-14

Fantastical Observations is for the littlest Spiderwick fans and maybe for those who like to keep a journal. The Notebook is 200 pages about 50 pages of which are short anecdotes/stories about fairies and about 150 of which are lined pages for adding notes. Don't get this if you haven't already read and loved the Spiderwick books.

A book which comes in handy........2006-04-27

This book is an outstandibly good book.This book has lots of secrets that you wouldn't have found out in all of the five spiderwick books.This book had lots of tips about "how to recognise a faery".I think the best things about this book was it included maps that you need to find places,diagrams which you need to help you discover and so on.I rated this book five because it was very useable.I could even use it for jabbing in a nail!LOL like i would i'll stuff my precious book.I want to give a credit to the author that you have surely come a long way from those good spiderwick books.You have made this book..BRILLIANT.B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T.I recomend this book for children who would like to know most of the better secrets before reading all the five spiderwick books.

Perfect for boys and girls!.......2006-01-10

A lot of "diary" type books you see on the market are for girls only--don't boys need encouragement to write as well? This is the best I've seen for any gender. With good vocabulary, excellent writing prompts, and varied activities, this is a sure-fire winner for any child. My 11 y/o doesn't really like to draw, but there are many other creative activities for him in this book, such as mapping his neighborhood and naming his own fantastic beasts--complete with space for his own adjectives to describe them. Highly recommended!

repeat read.......2005-07-08

My son (8) LOVES this book. He has read all the books in this series, however, he keeps coming back to this book.

Average customer rating:

Swimmy
My heart drops when i see this book !
Swimmy
Be brave
Great book, would make a great gift

Swimmy (Knopf Children's Paperbacks)
Leo Lionni
Manufacturer: Dragonfly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Frederick
Fish is Fish
Inch by Inch
A Color of His Own
Little Blue and Little Yellow

ASIN: 0394826205
Release Date: 1973-04-12

Book Description

Illus. in color. "An exquisite picture book. A little fish, the lone survivor of a school of fish swallowed by a tuna, devises a plan to camouflage himself and his new companions."--(starred) School Library Journal.

Customer Reviews:

Swimmy.......2006-11-05

Swimmy is a great book to start out with at the beginning of the school year. It teaches cooperation and teamwork.

My heart drops when i see this book !.......2006-06-20

This is one of my favorite childhoold books. I fell in love with swimmy & Fredrick. I really love Leo Lionni's books. I still have copies of all his book and have purchased these books for my little brothers.The art is beautiful, and really makes the book that much better. You cannot go wrong buying this book for any child.

Swimmy .......2006-02-26

I have used this book for many years to promote the ability of the "little guys" to join together and gain strength to challenge "the big guy." It's a great story.

Be brave .......2005-06-03

Despite fear and loneliness, Swimmy discovers the marvels of his world under the sea and encourages his friends to band together so that they may enjoy the marvels as well.

Great book, would make a great gift.......2005-05-05

My children love this book and request this as well as Lionni's other charming tale "Frederick" The artwork is beautiful and the story is very sweet natured. I would recommend this as a gift if you are looking for something for Kindergarten and younger, boy or girl.

The Capture (Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

It was so boring I didn't read the whole thing
Great Story
Good, but not the best, but worth the time...
An overview of "the capture"
An overview of "the capture"

The Capture (Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Book 1)
Kathryn Lasky
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Journey (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 2)
Rescue (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 3)
The Siege (Guardians of Ga'hoole #4)
Shattering (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 5)
The Burning (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 6)

ASIN: 0439405572

Book Description

In the first book in the GUARDIANS... series, the reader is introduced to Soren, a barn owl and the centerpiece of the series. When Soren is pushed from his family's nest by his older brother, he is rescued from certain death on the forest floor by agents from a mysterious school for orphaned owls, St. Aggie's. When Soren arrives at St. Aggie's, he suspects there is more to the school than meets the eye. He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, find out that St. Aggie's is actually a training camp where the school's leader can groom young owls to help achieve her goal--(cont.)

Customer Reviews:

It was so boring I didn't read the whole thing.......2007-09-25

I got this book since it was suppossed to be good. I finished the first chapter and saw that it was so boring. Then I skipped ahead to the end to see if it was any good. Sometimes a book can be boring in the first part, but as it goes on it gets better. That was not the case with this book! The characters had no substance and were just stupid and uninteresting. The story was boring and uninteresting also. I would have given it 0 stars, but that was not an option.

Great Story.......2007-09-05

Hi, I am using my father's Amazon username to write this review.

This book was very fun to read. I enjoyed the length of the book, (I have never actually willingly read a book over 170 pages). The story moves along a little slowly. Soren and Gylfie's reactions to Saint Aggie's weren't what I expected. Overall the book was exiting with SOME (very little) heart-pounding drama. I will continue reading the series. I am now reading The Journey.

Good, but not the best, but worth the time..........2007-03-24

Young Soren is a barn owl living in the kingdom of Ga-Hoole. He is a young owlet and despised by his older brother Kludd, so much that Kludd pushes Soren out of the nest, a very disgraceful thing to do. Soren seems to have no hope of survival when two owls swoop down and take him to a place called St. Aggies Orphange for Orphaned Owls. There he is horrified by the terrible going-ons, one of the worst the terrifying moon blinking. You will have to find out on your own what happens to young Soren; who he befriends, who he makes enemies with, and what terrible secrets he finds.
I found it difficult at first to picture owls as main charecters, but I soon got used to it and discovered what an engrossing book it was. It wasn't better than Warriors: Into the Wild, and Warriors:New Phrophecy:Midnight, but it was a very exciting, well-written book, but as I am now on book four, The Siege, after halting the series for a year or twoand moving on to something else, I find the author's type of writing quite trivial. But, it is still a very good book, and worth the time, though rent it at the library instead of buying it is my advice.

An overview of "the capture".......2007-03-23

The setting for the book, "Guardians of Ga'hoole: The Capture", is mainly in the canyons and tunnels of St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. This place is the perfect place for keeping young owlets with no flight experience, until Soren and Gylfie were captured. The two largest problems these two very close friends had were to escape being moon blinked or scalded, and to learn how to fly so they could warn the owl world of the treacheries of St. Aggie's. The only way for them to do any of this is with the help of Grimble, an adult boreal owl at St. Aggie's.
So Soren and Gylfie were given temporarily access to the inventorium, where unbeknownst the overlords of St. Aggie's, the two of them were instructed on how to fly by Grimble. Finally, the night came when Grimble believed that Soren and Gylfie were strong enough to make the flight straight up and out of the canyons. So that night Soren and Gylfie were led by Grimble into the library, a place at St. Aggie's forbidden to all but the overlords, so they could take off and fly into the night, hopefully never to be seen at St. Aggie's again. That night haunts both Soren's and Gylfie's minds because as they left St. Aggie's, one of the overlords murdered Grimble.

An overview of "the capture".......2007-03-23

Average customer rating:

A Christological Fable
A story about sharing.
This book is very appropriate for young readers.

It's Mine!
Leo Lionni
Manufacturer: Dragonfly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Swimmy (Knopf Children's Paperbacks)
Fish is Fish
An Extraordinary Egg
Frederick
Matthew's Dream

ASIN: 0679880844
Release Date: 1996-03-19

Book Description

Caldecott Medalist Leo Lionni's classic tale about three childlike frogs who learn a valuable lesson about cooperation is now available in paperback.

Customer Reviews:

A Christological Fable.......2006-03-24

On the surface, this is a simple and sweet tale of three frogs who learn how to share. But as a student of theology and of literature, I must share my insights into this amazing children's book. On a deeper level, this is a Christological parable and a history of salvation through Jesus Christ. Although I admittedly know nothing about Leo Lionni's personal beliefs,I am sure that this is the intended meaning in this fable. The richness and beauty of its symbolism could hardly be an accident!

Three frogs (symbolizing humanity--three being a biblical number of completeness) live in constant disharmony with each other. "The air is mine", "the earth is mine", "the water is mine": their quarrels are so absurd, pointing to pride as the source of their sin, as clearly the air, earth, and water can belong to no one but God. And then One "appears"--the Toad-- who teaches, just as Christ taught during His ministry. He tells them that they must learn to share and live in peace. But they do not listen to Him or follow his teachings. So, it happens that one day they seem to pay for their sin, clinging to separate rocks as flood waters swell and consume their island. It is only when they join together on the single remaining rock that they feel better, "sharing the same fears and hopes". Here, on the rock of the Church, they are saved. When the flood waters subside and recede, they realize: "The large rock that had saved them was no rock at all. 'You saved us!' shouted the frogs when they recognized the toad." They had been sitting on the back of the Toad--who miraculously remains strong through the greatest storm (pointing to His divinity). But it is only when the toad RISES from the waters (i.e. from the dead), that the church/disciples(the frogs) understand the source of salvation---through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the toad). And it is through passing through the flood waters (the waters of Baptism) that salvation is attained.

The book ends with the Church in Paradise. "And later, when they rested in the weeds, they felt happy in a way they had never been before." Leo Lionni's message here is that paradise begins in the heart. (As Christ taught in his parables, such as the parable of the mustard seed.)

Of course, small children will not see or understand many of the theological meanings and messages. It is an excellent book to teach small children about sharing. But it is so much more! I highly recommend this book to Christian families wishing to teach their children the truths of the faith. But of course, you will need to do a lot of "sharing" and listening---not just reading--to get at the heart of this book with your children.

A story about sharing. .......2005-06-02

Bicker Bicker Bicker. That's what these three frogs do all day long. It's mine, it's mine, it's mine! Tragedy strikes and an old toad saves the day. The three frogs seem to grow up without even realizing it! An ideal read-aloud.

This book is very appropriate for young readers........1999-02-06

I enjoy this book very much. The characters are human-like in nature which gives the book charm. Lionni captures the essence of siblings in the cute frog characters. The moral is easy to understand and something to remember for all ages, not just children. A definate must have.

Average customer rating:

A story of a tom cat
Whittington
an okay book
Whittington
great book

Whittington
Alan Armstrong
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Princess Academy
A Bear Named Trouble
The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs
Criss Cross (Newbery Medal Book)
Christopher Mouse

ASIN: 0375828656
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

Whittington is a roughneck Tom who arrives one day at a barn full of rescued animals and asks for a place there. He spins for the animals—as well as for Ben and Abby, the kids whose grandfather does the rescuing—a yarn about his ancestor, the nameless cat who brought Dick Whittington to the heights of wealth and power in 16th-century England. This is an unforgettable tale about the healing, transcendent power of storytelling, and how learning to read saves one little boy.

Customer Reviews:

A story of a tom cat.......2007-07-28

Whittington by Alan Armstrong exemplifies everything that's wrong with the Newbery awards - it's a cute book about a cat, not much more. Don't get me wrong, I did like the story, but there's as much wrong with the story as there is right. It does, however, have all the ingredients of an award winner and stuff much older readers than the intended audience can get nostalgic over.

Whittington is the story of a cat who comes to live in a barnyard full of down-and-out animals with Ben and Abby, a brother and sister who spend their time listening to a tale told by the cat. Ben suffers from dyslexia, which is embarrassing to him. Ben's struggles with dyslexia are mixed with Whittington's story. This is an interesting approach.

However, there are several things wrong with the story. First, the story often reads more like a history and science lesson, with some of the exposition delivered as if from a text book. Second, it's hard to care about the characters as they are shallow and for the most part one dimensional. At times, Ben's struggles seem a footnote or after thought to make the book itself more interesting. As a father of a child with dyslexia, I know it is a serious problem, but it has become an overused plot device in many children's books.

Overall, this one's okay, but I think comparisions to E.B. White are out of line. This is not E.B. White or anything close.

Whittington.......2007-03-21

This is an enjoyable and fascinating book. My 2 children (7 & 4) are reading this with me in school. Some of the language is a little mature for them, yet their interest and attention are still held. They like the dynamics between the animals and just like Charlotte's Web, they seem amused that the animals can talk.

an okay book.......2007-03-21

this book grabbed my attention and wouldent let go it was a cute book but it kinda was like charlets web but with a cat but it was preatty entertaining

Whittington.......2007-02-06

Purchased this book for the library at my school. A student who is a cat lover showed me the book review in a magazine. Pleased with book.

great book.......2007-01-31

If you like to read realistic fiction books WHITTINGTON is the book for you. This book talks about a cat named Whittington who doesn't have a home because his owner had to get rid of him to be able to go to a special program. Then one day he sees a duck walking in his direction. He asks her if she had a home. She told him that she lived in a barn with other animals. He asks her if he could go and live with them. When the duck, Lady, brings him to meet the barn animals they agree to let him stay. In the barn, Whittington helps them with a lot of adventures and helps a boy with reading and writing.
Will the boy, Ben, ever learn how to read & write? What happens when a hawk tries to eat Lady? What will Whittington do?

In this book, Armstrong describes the characters really well that you can visualize it.
Whittington is described by his specialty of catching rats and helping the barn animals. Lady is described to be the boss of the barn and cares about other animals and people. The boy Ben is described as a quiet kid but that has trouble with his reading. He gets very frustrated when he can't read something and loses his patience. Where the story took place was in a barn. The type of genre this is realistic fiction. This book will keep you hooked until the end readers!

Average customer rating:

A gentle story
The Easter Bunny's roots or story of how he came to be

The Story of the Easter Bunny
Katherine Tegen
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Night Before Easter
The Easter Bunny that Overslept
The Bunny Who Found Easter
Easter Bugs : A Springtime Pop-up by David A Carter
Happy Easter!

ASIN: 0060587814
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Book Description

On a snow-cold day in a snug little house . . .

Everyone knows that the Easter Bunny comes every year with a basket of painted eggs and chocolates. But who is the Easter Bunny, and what is his story? At last, the famous bunny's secrets are revealed in this delightful tale perfect for springtime!a

Customer Reviews:

A gentle story.......2007-05-10

This book is not "the true" Easter story by any means, but it will please people who are looking for an Easter story that focuses less on "getting" (as many popular character Easter stories do)and more on the spirit of doing for others. A good story to share with a group of children, suited for ages 3 - 8.

The Easter Bunny's roots or story of how he came to be.......2007-04-04

I really love a good childeren's book and what I really love is to find out how the author came about creating /telling their story. Well, this story has an interesting background in that the author wrote it because he son wondered about the Easter Bunny, where did he come from and how did he get the job of being the Easter Bunny and with all those questions became this very book! This is a really cute story of the Easter Bunny's early years.

There is a family of a little round older couple who have a white bunny and during the winter months the couple make baskets, chocolate eggs and dye and decorate eggs for the children in the town. Every year the little bunny watches and begins to help out... eventually to take over the "family business" completely because his parents had grown much older and his secret of where the Easter bunny lived was getting out among the children in his town. So, with great big waves from his family the Easter Bunny leaves home and find a nice hollow tree where he and some of his friends make the baskets, chocolates and eggs.

I think this is a very cute book, the illustrations are soft and beautiful. The story is one that once read will become a family tradition to read the night or week before the Easter Bunny comes to visit your home just like the T'was the Night Before Christmas! Enjoy!!!

Average customer rating:

a wonderful series!
Best Yet

River Of Wind (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
Kathryn Lasky
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Golden Tree (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
To Be A King (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
Coming Of Hoole (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
First Collier (Guardians Of Ga'hoole)
The Outcast (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 8)

ASIN: 0439888077

Book Description

Coryn and the Band have returned to the Great Ga'Hoole Tree and restored order. With the Ember safely hidden away, the tree shakes off its gaudy golden glow and recovers its natural majesty. Meanwhile, deep in the Palace of Mists, Bess finds an ancient map fragment that reveals that there are not 5 owl kingdoms -- as has been thought since time immemorial -- but 6. Coryn and the chaw of chaws set off to find this unknown land. In a landscape of perpetual winter, they discover a monastery of serene, learned owls, the likes of which no one has ever seen before.

Customer Reviews:

a wonderful series!.......2007-07-16

My son and I have read this series together. Each book has held both of our attention. We started before he could read, now he is reading the series on his own.

Best Yet.......2007-06-09

This book is excellent! Exhilarating, exciting, and full of adventure. I recommend this book to anyone who likes owls, adventure, and exciting stories.

This series is the best I have ever read.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books