Tops & Bottoms (Caldecott Honor Book)

Book Description

Hare solves his family’s problems by tricking rich and lazy Bear in this funny, energetic version of an old slave story. With roots in American slave tales, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of using one’s wits to overcome hardship. “As usual, Stevens’ animal characters, bold and colorful, are delightful. . . . It’s all wonderful fun, and the book opens, fittingly, from top to bottom instead of from side to side, making it perfect for story-time sharing.”--Booklist

Customer Reviews:

Clever... Witty... Humorous... Must Have for Teachers.......2007-05-06

Stevens, J. (1995). Tops and bottoms. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Synopsis: When Hare loses everything he owns to a risky bet with a persistent tortoise, his family's lives are in danger of starvation. While Hare's family is in danger of starving, his neighbor, Bear, lies around lazily as his richly fertile farm fields lay untouched. Being a sly trickster, Hare devises a plan outsmart his slothful neighbor. Hare offers to plant, water, weed, and harvest his Bear's fields and split the profits 50/50. What Bear doesn't know is that Hare has a trick up his sleeve. Hare plants roots crops and gives Bear the tops. Then he plants leaf and stem vegetables and gives Bear the bottoms. Finally, Bear demands a season of both tops and bottoms. Hare plants the trickiest vegetable of all which really surprises Bear and the readers. In the end, Hare is able to buy back his own land and open a vegetable stand.

Evaluation: Can Hare outsmart the son of a brainy business bear? Readers will recognize this jovial trickster who triumphs by virtue of his quick wit. Stevens notes that his tale is adapted from European folktales and slave stories of the American South. This tale also has similarities with African Anansi stories. Although the author does not indicate any actual sources from which she adapted this tale, it is wildly humorous and worthy of reading for many years to come. Stevens' humorous extension of the Tortoise and Hare tale leaves young children wondering. However, older children and adults can clearly see the humor in the connection. In addition, most children do not see the humor in the fact that Hare and Mrs. Hare have hordes of small bunnies at home. Stevens' bold watercolor, pencil and gesso illustrations cover every inch of each vertically oriented double page spreads draw readers into this sharp tale. The vertical format allowed Stevens to create a tall canvas on which to illustrate succulent vegetables growing in the fields. Each page is full of exuberant details and simple boxed text. Educators will continue pulling this text out for students during spring planting and fall harvesting as a read aloud year after year. Children ages 5-10 will love hearing this tale for many years.

cute story.......2007-02-07

great book for young boys, the story tells of a great lesson in life

a guarenteed smile!.......2007-01-11

the illustartions in this captivating book would make it a must have, but the story is equally as good. kids will love the wiley rabbits and the grouchy bear. it's the kind of book that you can read over and over because the pages are so full of characters that you will see something new each time.

Great Teaching Tool!.......2005-10-01

I bought this book to use in our Educational Tours for school children on our farm. It's a great way to teach about the different parts of plants we eat and the pictures are very cute.

Whellin' A Deal.......2004-10-27

Bear is a very wealthy animal that is undeserving of his good fortune and Hare is a struggling husband/father trying to feed his family. When Hare and his wife come up with a clever plan for food, Hare decides to try it. Might I mention that Bear owns land that is very good for a vegetable garden.

"We can be business partners!" Hare says. "All we need is this field right here in front of your house. I'll do the work of planting and harvesting, and we can split the profit down the middle." Hare says soon afterwards, "So what will it be, Bear?" "The top half or the bottom half?" Hare doesn't mention what crops he will grow to bear, because, of course, he will plant veggies that bear fruit(or, well...vegetables) underground. Carrots, radishes, etc.

The next growing season, Bear will naturally choose the bottoms, but-again-he doesn't demand a certain vegetable to plant, so Hare plants vegetables like cabbage that grow above ground.

Finally Bear gets smart-or at least he thinks he is-and demands to have both the tops and bottoms of the crops; Hare agrees? Why would Hare agree to letting Bear have all the crop?

Janet Stevens has created a book thats screams SOUTHERN! Hare could possibly be the smartest rabbit since Bugs Bunny. What I'm wondering was why Hare didn't take advantage of his neighbor sooner? If only there were more books like this one.

R

JATS Fairytale Classics: Goldilocks and Three Bears (Jats 8x8)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful!!! Better than the traditional version!
Great book!
Adorable adaptation
Jump at the Sun: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Great Book

JATS Fairytale Classics: Goldilocks and Three Bears (Jats 8x8)

Manufacturer: Jump At The Sun
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786809523
Release Date: 2004-08-09

Book Description

Happily ever after has never been so happy! These inspired retellings of classic children's fairy-tales are simply told and beautifully illustrated.This is a series of books that parents will treasure and children will love hearing again and again.Jump at the Sun Fairy-tale Classics include: - Cinderella - Goldilocks and The Three Bears - Jack and the Beanstalk - Little Red Riding Hood

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!!! Better than the traditional version!.......2007-07-28

This may be my favorite JATS fairy tale. The ending is a nice twist where Goldilocks learns an appropriate lesson without any scary consequences for breaking & entering the bears' cottage.

Great book!.......2007-06-06

I really liked this book for my children! The drawings are beautiful and I loved that the bears made Goldilocks clean up her mess and then they walked her home. I highly recommend this and am buying a second copy for my son's class.

Adorable adaptation.......2007-03-19

The drawings in this re-telling of the Goldilocks story are so cute! My 2-year-old daughter has really enjoyed the Jump At the Sun versions of fairy tales, and I'm grateful for stories with characters that look like her.

Jump at the Sun: Goldilocks and the Three Bears.......2007-03-15

This is a lovely book for a preschool aged child. It was very clever how the writer made the name Goldilocks applicable to a child of color. It has an underlying message that a child should obey their parents and be willing to do their chores.

Great Book.......2004-10-31

This is a great book for all children especially children of color. My 4 year and 7 year old enjoy the story. It's a classic book modified to show respect and responsibilty.

Two Bear Cubs: A Miwok Legend from California's Yosemite Valley

Average customer rating:

No big deal
A great California Indian tale

Two Bear Cubs: A Miwok Legend from California's Yosemite Valley
Robert D. San Souci
Manufacturer: Yosemite Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0939666871

Customer Reviews:

No big deal.......2007-02-10

The illustrations are the best part of this book, and one (at least) has been made into a beautiful poster for Yosemite Park. But the supposed Indian legend lacked for me the charm of a mythical tale told well. The child in me was not fascinated by the story. I bought it because someone gave me the poster, which I framed; I like the poster better than the book.

A great California Indian tale.......2000-12-13

As a fourth grade teacher in California, I have the pleasure of teaching California history. This book is a great retelling of an old Miwok Indian legend set in Yosemite Valley. Locals, Robert and Daniel San Souci write and illustrate a fun story that tells of the formation of El Capitan in Yosemite. It also teaches that each individual, regardless of size can make a difference. At the end of the book is information on the Miwok tribe and a helpful list of related readings and web sites. The students love the book and it is a fun way to present a California tribe's legend.

The Boy Who Lived with the Bears: And Other Iroquois Stories (Parabola Storytime series)

Average customer rating:

Moving, funny, vivid images - stands up to repeat listenings

The Boy Who Lived with the Bears: And Other Iroquois Stories (Parabola Storytime series)
Joseph Bruchac
Manufacturer: Parabola Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 093040761X

Book Description

The Parabola Storytime series is a collection of stories and myths by the leading storytellers of Native American tribes. Originally produced by Parabola magazine in audio format, many of these stories appear here in written form for the first time, with the permission of tribal elders, and are enhanced by artwork authentic to the tradition. These stories evoke the beauty, wisdom, and living spirit of surviving oral traditions.

In these six Iroquois tales, animals showcase the best of human emotions and spirit. Buzzard flies to the Creator to bring back clothes for all the birds. Tiny Chipmunk takes on massive and powerful Bear in a challenge to determine whether or not the sun will keep rising. In the title story, a young boy has lost his human family and finds love in the home of the Bears. Wise and foolish, cowardly and brave animals teach humans how to live better lives, while providing entertainment. This replaces 006021287X.

Customer Reviews:

Moving, funny, vivid images - stands up to repeat listenings.......1997-04-11

Bruchac's smooth yet distinctive reading voice, his excellent "animal" character voices, a sprinkling of songs, drumming, and rattles, and vivid stories make this a favorite of an almost 4 year old AND his 40-year-old mom -- especially the title story, which is moving without being sentimental. A very minor quibble is that Bruchac's voice occasionally "catches" as if he's stopping for breath at a line break. P.S. We liked this tape much better than the Navaho one in the series

Average customer rating:

The Bear Tribe's Self-Reliance Book
Sun Bear , Wabun , and Nimimosha
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0671761765

Montana's Bob Marshall Country: The Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, Great Bear Wilderness Areas and Surrounding Wildlands (Montana Geographic Series)

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Montana's Bob Marshall Country

Montana's Bob Marshall Country: The Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, Great Bear Wilderness Areas and Surrounding Wildlands (Montana Geographic Series)
Richard P. Graetz
Manufacturer: Two Bears Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Hiking Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness

ASIN: 0938314157

Customer Reviews:

Montana's Bob Marshall Country.......2000-01-29

A great preview of "The Bob". Very good, concise information in a very readable format. I especially liked the sections on wildlife and history. Makes you want to go to Montana tomorrow and see the country, even if it is January and you hate snow. I can hardly wait for the summer and a visit to the wild country of "The Bob".

Average customer rating:

Thoroughly enjoyed
High School Librarian sees value in primary sources.
A must read, from one who has lived 7 yrs outside the USA
A must read, from one who has lived 7 yrs outside the USA
Americans in Bear Country

Americans in Bear Country
Missy Moore
Manufacturer: Xlibris Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0738818224

Book Description

A memoir of the author's experience living in the heartland of Russia, in 1992 and 1993. She and her husband lived the Russian way: in a tiny apartment, with intermittent water supply, and scarce food. This is the story about their adventures and the Russian people they came to love.

Customer Reviews:

Thoroughly enjoyed.......2000-07-19

I am thoroughly impressed with the author's ability to show us a detailed picture of everyday life in the Russian hinterlands. I never imagined people could still live that way in this day and age. We (Americans) are very much spoiled by what we consider "our necessities" in life. The emotions and visuals this book brought to me were so clear and real. I thought the last chapter written by the author's husband was a very nice touch. We have the story from both sides of this very adventurous couple! I was a little nervous about having to read about the Russian government/politial issues in this book, but was quite surprised and pleased to see it wasn't like any other book I've read about Russia. It is about the daily life of the everyday common person (or Americanski)in Pavlovo, Russia. Thank you for sharing your story, Missy Moore!

High School Librarian sees value in primary sources........2000-07-14

What a wonderful narrative of a present day adventure! Students often need material on Russia but are put off by lengthy books that are heavy on history and very short on interesting daily life. This book is perfect. It is like listening to a favorite relative tell about the trials of the depression and how it influenced all that came after.....

A must read, from one who has lived 7 yrs outside the USA.......2000-07-13

This is an invaluable book for those who complain about living in the USA, those interested in human nature, Russian travel or culture, or book lovers in general.

The most insightful comments were about human nature: property that is owned by everyone is not kept up by anyone and its corollary, property that is owned by everyone is free for the taking by anyone. Her examples are poignant, especially her attempt to set an example of personal responsibility.

Missy's love and concern for the ordinary people of the Russian hinterland overcame the deprivations and primitive conditions where they lived for 15 months. The isolation was intense, but expressed only in the context of overcoming it. The Russians responded to Missy with glowing warmth that was in stark contrast to the very cold climate.

Not only did I greatly enjoy the book, but since I was away when it arrived, I had to wait for my husband and a friend (who is going to Russia) to finish the book first. Our friend immediately bought a copy for his wife.

A must read, from one who has lived 7 yrs outside the USA.......2000-07-13

This is an invaluable book for those who complain about living in the USA, those interested in human nature, Russian travel or culture, or book lovers in general.

The most insightful comments about human nature: property that is owned by everyone is not kept up by anyone and its corollary, property that is owned by everyone is free for the taking by anyone. Her examples are poignant, especially her attempt to set an example.

Missy's love and concern for the ordinary people of the Russian hinterland overcame the deprivations and primitive conditions where they lived for 15 months. The isolation was intense, but expressed only in the context of overcoming it. The Russians responded to Missy with warmth that was in stark contrast to the very cold climate.

Americans in Bear Country.......2000-07-07

I would probably never read an abstract discussion of the Russian economy, but this first-person story held my attention all the way through. The fascinating picture it paints of the hardships under which most Russians live was an eye-opener and will stay with me a long time. As will the courage of the writer who faced all challenges with good humor and good sense.

Average customer rating:

Grizzly Bear Mountain
Jack Boudreau
Manufacturer: Caitlin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Hot on the heels of his best seller, Crazy Man's Creek, Jack Boudreau writes his sequel. We go back to the small community of Penny, learn what rural kids did to amuse themselves - mother wouldn't approve - and then look over Jack's shoulder as he develops his fascination with the grizzly bear, first as a hunter, then as a photographer.

The grizzly bear, according to Jack, is not a threatened species, at least not in the McGregor Mountain Range. Through Jack's eyes, we begin to understand and appreciate this marvellous beast. For example, did you know that grizzlies ski?

As well as giving us a greater understanding of this magnificient bear, Jack speaks of his love of the rugged mountain country of Northern British Columbia where he feels lucky to have lived most of his life.

How the Bat Got Its Wings & Young Bear's Lesson

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How the Bat Got Its Wings & Young Bear's Lesson
Paul Williams
Manufacturer: Will Hall Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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ASIN: 0963031066

Book Description

The two Cherokee stories shared in this book are excellent examples of how tales, meant to entertain and educate children from another culture, can transcend time and place without losing either their inherent lesson or ability to delight. "How the Bat Got Its Wings" reminds us that each individual has an important place in society and everyone-including its leaders-should remember this fact. "Young Bear's Lesson", a variation on the maxim Look Before You Leap, tells us that conflicts sometimes remain ongoing at the end of a narrative-a reminder that not every story has a happy ending and not all of the problems in this world are resolved. While we like to be associated with the 'good guy', one's own kind does not always behave well. We sometimes need to question the behavior of our own people and seek to make society better. from the intro.

Latin America between the Eagle and the Bear

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Latin America between the Eagle and the Bear
Salvador de Madariaga
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press Reprint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0837184231

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