Reviews (70)

great book
This is a story based on the true story of Mary Jemison. I found the fact that it was true very interesting, especially since you can really visit some of the places she lived. It is sad and disturbing and(like the one review said)she is separated from everyone, but it's true! She was terribly sad, the Indians did do horrible things, and she was separated from everyone she knew. Even though this book is true, it is still very entertaining. I think it does a good job of developing the interior conflict: Is she and Indian or a pale-face? I think this book will be loved by all who appreciate historical-fiction.
The Wonders of Indian Captive
The book Indian Captive was a very interesting book. What I liked about the book was that the autor told a lot about the Indain way of life, the author showed great emotion in his writing, and described the scenery very well. The only reason that this is not a five star book is because I thought that the author asked too many questions in the story, not in dialoge but in the story. Sometimes the author didn't even answer the questions. I really enjoyed Indian Captive and hope whoever reads this, buys the book, and reads it!

Indian Captive Review by LEA
This book is about an amazing (...) girl named Mary Jemison aka Molly to her family and friends. The story begins at her home in March Creek Hollow. Honestly the beginning is boring,it doesn't get really good until she gets to the Indian village at least that is my opinion. Anyway after being taken from here family she must learn to be an Indian,but how can she give up her english ways? All through the book she tries to escape only to fail time and time again but when she is given the chance to leave can she really leave the her Indian brothers and sisters? Read the book to find out!
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Biographical - United States    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. Indians of North America    8. Seneca Indians    9. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (30)

Wonderful series of books, however...
I was recently reminded of the Betsy-Tacy books I loved so much when I was a young girl.You can not imagine my horror at seeing the current editions' illustrations of the girls, though.Part of the original books' charm was the simple illustrations.Whoever decided to change them should be ashamed.Ashamed and fired.Seriously.
Charming!
What a delightful book! I cannot believe I missed these books as a child; I picked them up to read with my daughters on a friend's recommendation, and they are a treasure. They remind me of so many other classic children's books -- Lois Lenski, Carolyn Haywood, Beverly Cleary, Eleanor Estes. Not only are the stories sweet and captivating, they take me back to a place where life was so much simpler. It's a return to innocence, and I loved the journey. I would highly recommend these books for little girls; they'll make new friends that they'll cherish for a lifetime.

My Favorite Book's Review
Betsy-Tacy is an amazing book. The series is just unbelievable. I checked it out from the library and I just loved them. I have read the series once and I am working on the second time. I rate this book 5 stars because it is so wonderful. As you read through these pages, you will be learning about friendship and bravery. Betsy and Tacy have adventures of a lifetime in this book and all of the others. My mom always cries when she sees the person who donated this series to the library because I love them so much. If you read this book and love it, please read the series. It will be books that you will never forget as long as you live. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. Historical - United States - 20th Century    6. Minnesota    7. Moving, Household    8. Social Issues - Friendship    9. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 20th Century    10. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (14)

The first Betsy-Tacy book with Tib
I grew up on the Betsy, Tacy, Tib novels as a child. I followed the adventures and drama of Betsy, Tacy, and Tib as children and all the way until they were in college. "Betsy-Tacy and Tib" is the follow up to the popular "Betsy-Tacy". The book pretty much picks up where "Betsy-Tacy" leaves off. In this book, the girls get a third friend named Tib, a cute blonde girl who had moved to Deep Valley with her family from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It didn't take very long for the two girls to hit it off with Tib.
The bestbook ever
This book is about some basic nine year old girls just trying to have fun in many adventures like begging for cookies. It's one of the best books I have read.IT'S A MUST. I REPEAT MUST BUY!

Still a warm spot in my heart
The Betsy,Tacy and Tib books were among my favorites when I was a child.In fact--except for the Oz books--they were the only books whose author's name I remembered!Images from all these books remain vivid in my memory--Betsy and Tacy going to the top of the hill, the twosome becoming a threesome, Tib's blond hairs, and all the rest. Betsy, Tacy, and Tib grew up in a simpler era but they still speak to modern readers.I'm so glad to see these books still in print for another generation to enjoy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Fiction    3. Friendship    4. Historical - United States - 20th Century    5. Minnesota    6. Social Issues - Friendship    7. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 20th Century    8. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (7)

Every Child needs Cowboy Small
This is a great book, very light hearted and catchy.Be prepared to keep it handy, it's one of those books you will read it to your child, niece, nephew.... over and over again.

Our family's all time #1 Lois Lenski book ever!!!!
You can't go wrong with Cowboy Small. Even if your child isn't into being a cowboy, they will like this story. My 2 girls (now ages 22 and nearly 13) both LOVED Cowboy Small! I read it over and over and over and over...we had it on permanent checkout from the library it seems!! Then the library gave it to us when they were clearing out worn books...we were thrilled and treasured this book! I read this book so much I can still recite most of it. My son is 7 and he likes to play cowboy and he likes his reissue copy of Cowboy Small, but it is interesting that my girls asked for it to be read to them much more often. Our children's bouncy horse even got named Cactus in honor of Cowboy Small's horse. I recently gave this book to a 60+ yr. old friend who has horses and dresses in cowboy clothes, and he loved it! He has it displayed on a shelf in his livingroom and reads it to his grandchildren when they visit. I repeat: you just cannot go wrong with Cowboy Small. It has a simple but great story, nice pictures, and is a whole lot of fun. So glad it is available for today's children.

Wonderful first story book
My 2-year old son and I just checked "Cowboy Small" out of the library. Couldn't believe my luck in finding this book! This is the first story book that's held my son's interest past the first few pages and all the way to the end and back again, and I mean backwards through every page.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Cowboys    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Lifestyles - Country Life    8. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life    9. Westerns    10. Juvenile Fiction / Lifestyles / Country Life   

Reviews (5)

Another classic
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill is the third book in the timeless Betsy-Tacy-Tib series. In this latest chapter in the trio's childhood, the girls begin to develop with age and maturity. First the girls turned ten which is a big deal for them, especially for Betsy. They finally have two numbers for their age. The second big moment for the girls is they develop their very first crush on the newly annointed King of Spain named Alphonso. And the third pivotal moment in their young lives is when they meet a community of Syrians in Deep Valley who has not exactly been greeted warmly by its natives. It is so much fun watching the girls grow up in this series. The tone of Bets and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill is slightly more somber yet realistic than the previous two books since it briefly touches on prejudice and unrequited first love. Even as an adult, I still like to pick up and re-read my Betsy-Tacy books for fun.

just greatest book!
I adore Betsy-Tacy books, it's wonderful classic girl story but i think it can be interested for all children at all. If u like trhis book i think u will love Annaluisa and Anton story too(Kastner).

fine and readable even for french childs
I bought this book for two french childs to test american literature with young non-english-spoken childs. I must admit I read it before. It's out of time and pleasant for anyone. But it's readable for any child around the planet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. Historical - United States - 20th Century    6. Social Issues - Friendship    7. Summer    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (5)

Turning back the hands of time
This will remind adults of times when the world wasn't so weird, and when celebration of autumn did not involve elaborate spending schemes. The tiny size will appeal to little readers, too. A lovely gentle rhymed happy read aloud that two's and three's will ask for again and again.

Now it's fall.
Lois Lenski was a famous writer of children's books, and this is a new printing of one of her books.The best part is that the illustrations are her own, and haven't been modernized.They are very appealing to children.Although this is a short story, Ms.Lenski evokes images and feelings that children will understand easily.

One Lois Lenski book I couldn't appreciate
All of my children and even I myself have been very fond of Lois Lenski books over the years. I was very happy when I saw that many of her books were being reissued. This one however, I had to send back. I liked most of it, but I didn't like the parts about Halloween, since we do not acknowledge Halloween in our house. Otherwise, this was a very cute book. If you also do not participate in Halloween, you will not like this book. You could glue those pages together or rip them out, but then it ruins the flow of the poem about fall. So I just chose to return it. ... Read more

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

Reviews (11)

one of my favorite B-T books
We first meet Betsy, Tacy, and Tib's school friend Winona Root in this book, and the four of them make a wonderfully real crowd of friends.I especially enjoy Winona's addition to their group.
Betsy-Tacy fans
These are the perfect books to read with my granddaughter.The times they lived in were much like my childhood.My granddaughter still relates to their adventures and it givbes her a glimpse of the world I grew up in.

The Best Girls Book Series
I first read Betsy Tacy Go Downtown over 40 years ago.This book and all the Betsy/Tacy books have had a huge impact on my live.Imagine, finding out I was not the only one.Through the wonders of cyberspace I have found a whole communinty of Betsy/Tacy fans.There have been trips to "Deep Valley" and discussions of the books and characters.It is wonderful to find others who love the books as much as I do.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. City and town life    4. City life    5. Fiction    6. Friendship    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. Minnesota    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

A surprisingly captivating book
This book was a gift and I originally thought that it was too detailed to be interesting to my 22-month-old son. However, it has a very calming quality and he insists on it every night before bedtime. The adventures move along frequently enough to hold his interest, without being overly stimulating. And he can identify elements he likes from the drawings, such as the propeller, the wind sock, the hangar, and the car on the ground.
A great series that grows with your child
While the text may be lengthy for toddlers (I have a 3-1/2 year old who loves this book, borrowed from the library, that I'm buying him a copy), this is certainly a book that grows with the child. The engaging, simple pictures allow for much imaginative story telling (who ever said parents are supposed to read every word when the child isn't ready?), moving into reading more and more of the text as the child grows older. I trained for a private pilot license, and the details given are simple and factual; just the kind of real stuff that children interested in airplanes would want to know; it's stuff they absorb readily if the subject interests them. I'm glad to see these books back in circulation. The other books in Lois Lenski's series are great, too.
Not for toddlers
Amazon has this book listed as being appropriate for the "baby-preschool" level. That may be true for the illustration style, but the story is quite lengthy and detailed. My son is 3 1/2 and barely has the attention span to sit through this story, and he's an airplane fanatic.
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Subjects:  1. Air pilots    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Preschool Picture Story Books    7. Transportation - General    8. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (30)

Strawberry Girl
Today I just finished reading a book called Strawberry Girl.It is a very good book.It is a John Newbery Medal book by Lois Lenski.Birdie Boyer is ten years old when she moves to Florida with her family.It is not easy to start a new farm especially when they have troubles like hard snow storms, terrible fires, and especially their horrid neighbors.I can't name a specific part that is my favorite because I really enjoyed it all.

Srawberrygirl
It was a very good book! It got exciting sometimes and sad other times. That is why Iliked this book.

Strawberry girl
Book Review of Strawberry Girl
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Classics    4. Country life    5. Farm life    6. Fiction    7. Florida    8. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life    9. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 19th Century   

Reviews (5)

We NEED to buy this!
We keep getting this book from the library and it's so informative - much more information about how trains work and such compared to Thomas books.Our 3 year old boy is a train fanatic and this book is even fun for ME to read to him because I learn right along with him.We study the pictures and he can point out the semaphores and he even takes what he has learned about how the train fills up with water to his toys.When he plays with his GeoTrax, he is using his imagination along WITH the factual things he has learned in this book.It's a must read - at LEAST from the library, but that just won't cut it for us, we need to purchase it!

Have A 'Thomas' Fan?"The Little Train" Might Be a Good Book for Them!
My 4 year-old Thomas and Friends fan likes this little book which features Engineer Small and his black and shiny engine.While the book doesn't have the Thomas-and-Percy-like personalities which so engage small fry, it does have plenty of drawings of trains and a great deal more factual information than the Rev. Awdry series.
Five stars for hardcover; four stars for board book.
This review covers both the board book (ISBN 037582264X; 32 pp.; c. 2002) and hardcover (ISBN 0375810714; 56 pp.; c. 2000) editions of *The Little Train* by Lois Lenski.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Railroads    8. Trains    9. Transportation - Trains    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (6)

Wonderful Book
My son is almost 2 1/2 and he loves this book.We read it everyday, at least once, and he has almost memorized it, but he loves it anyway.We also have The Little Train, and that one is great, too.

Fire Trucks and Lois Lenski - a Classic!
My 2-year old son and I enjoy all of the Lois Lenski "Little" and "Small" books.This story is fun to read, easy to understand and thought/discussion provoking.We LOVE anything Fire Truck - but this is an absolute favorite!

A Classic!
This is my two and a half year old son's ABSOLUTE favorite book.He asks to read "Fireman Small" every day at naptime and at bedtime too. ( we usually read it several times each sitting!)He has had this book since he was 12 months old and it was an instant hit with him.His favorite part is when fireman small saves the little girl and her kitten, he throws his arms up and yells Hooray!It is a great book about an everyday hero(fireman small).The classic illustrations are wonderful and a breath of fresh air in this computer generated age.I would highly reccomend this book for any toddler. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. Fire engines    5. Fire fighters    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Transportation - Cars/Trucks    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

enduring pleasure
as a young girl i loved the "betsy" books and it was a pleasure to pass them along to my daughter. only last night we discussed the books - she's introducing her fourth grade daughter to them this spring.theseries is timeless and i love every book !

Special Collection for young girls
As a child growing up, I was an avid reader.I began reading the "Betsy-Tacy" books when the school librarian introduced me to the series.This is a wonderful series showing the life of the main chracter, Betsy.I can remember devouring each of the books.Now that I am a teacher and a mother, I can't wait to find and purchase the books for my daughter and my classroom library.In today's society of technology and media, this is a wonderful collection of old fashioned, classic stories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's stories, American    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. General    6. Minnesota   

Editorial Review

Policeman Small is on the job! This hard-working cop is up at the cracko' dawn to direct traffic and spread cheer with his friendly smile. In one busyday he guides schoolchildren across the street, reprimands a speeding sports cardriver, clears the street for an ambulance and a fire truck, writes tickets fordrivers involved in an accident, and leads a parade. Even so, this conscientiousofficer is never too busy to overlook a wayward puppy or hungry kitty. Duringher lifetime, Newbery Medal recipient Lois Lenski wrote and illustrated morethan 90 books for children. Her classic Mr. Small books were well loved bygenerations of children, and are now making their way back into print in fullcolor for a happy new batch of readers. For more adventures with the gentle Mr.Small, read Read more

Reviews (3)

policeman small
i bought this book for my grandchildren as i was read it as a ittle girl and read it to my children as they grew up. i have always loved lois lensky's books and was very happy to add it to my ever growing library of childrens books.

All that and a song
Pure, as simple and direct as you'd expect from Lois Lenski with an added benefit, the Policeman Small song to sing along.

an animated look at a busy policeman
Lois Lenski's _Policeman Small_ illuminates the busy day of a traffic cop of the early twentieth century.Policeman Small directs traffic himself!He carries a sign to work which says STOP on one side, and GO on the other!Certain details of his work date the book as a whole, but my toddler son still loves _Policeman Small_.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business, Careers, Occupations    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Police    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

Our favorite nightime story book
We really like to use this book to read to our son (2 year old) because it contains a little story, it's short enough that he can follow it, there is plenty of pictures to keep him interested with as many occasion to teach him some new vocabulary.Read more

Subjects:  1. Boats and boating    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Preschool Picture Story Books    8. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    9. Transportation - General    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Transportation / Boats, Ships & Underwater Craft   

Reviews (4)

One of my favorite Lois Lenski books
I like this book very much. The book is written in verse and is very rhythmical and catchy...a small child could easily learn this little poem story if it is read to them often. It tells of all the fun things a child does in winter...making snowmen, sledding, ice skating, snowball fights, getting ready for Christmas, Christmas Day, and even makes mention of Valentine's Day, which IS a winter holiday! Yes, this book does mention Jesus and as a Christian I like that...He is my King! This book also mentions Santa Claus...we don't have our children believe in Santa, to them he is just a fun story, so Santa in this book isn't an offense to me. Like all Lois Lenski's books, she is very sensitive to a child's mind and what a child likes. Her books are always simple, calm, peaceful, kind, which is why I believe they have stood the test of time...this one is 55 yrs. old and still loved so much. A cute little book for any child and would make a nice Christmas present or even a stocking stuffer, as it is small and "child sized".

For Christians only
I love Lois Lenski's books. A Bedtime Favorite
A lovely, short, rhyming bookfor children from toddler age to early readers.Children love the rhymes and the simple, pleasing illustrations.This is a bedtime favorite of my nephews aged 1 1/2 to 5.Nothing in here to give nightmares!I am so glad they are re-printing these Lois Lenski books we enjoyed in the 50's when I was a child. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile poetry    6. Nature - Seasons    7. Poetry    8. Winter    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Family - Siblings    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Play    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Nature & the Natural World - General    8. Nature & the Natural World - Seasons    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Spring    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

The Little Farm is Big on Cute
My two year old loves Lenski's books (So do I).They are simple and clear in their concepts and illustrations.It seems somewhat of a "beginner" reading book in its literacy level, but it still is just enough to hold my interest while reading it aloud to my two kids. A Lovely Little Book
The sweetly illustrated, simply written story of Farmer Small's very busy day and the four seasons on his farm. My three year old finds the details of Farmer Small's life enormously interesting:the way he leaves the mail box open while he reads his mail, the apple that drops off the cart he is using to haul his apple harvest, the size of the tractor's wheels (you get many glimpses of this tractor, a big plus for the farm vehicle fan), the milk can he leaves for the dairy truck to pick up, the contents of his roadside stand.The text that accompanies these evocative illustrations is rhythmic and reassuring, and so this is an often-read bedtime and naptime book.One final terrific thing about the book:the hardcover edition is nicely produced, with good paper and clear bright pictures.When my son sits on my lap to hear the story, he always runs his fingers over the book's cover before I open it:maybe out of reverence for Farmer Small, who goes through farm life with apple-cheeked tranquility or maybe just because the cool, smooth cover is nice to touch.Either way, this would be a sweet gift for a two or three year old.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Farm Animals    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Preschool    4. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life    5. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

An absorbing book for all ages, set in Colonial Connecticut
Young MakePeace is "bound out" to her uncle when her father dies, making him responsible for her schooling, clothing and board. In return, Makepeace must work faithfully at the Five Pines Inn until she issixteen. But the schooling she longs for, and the love she needs, are goingto be harder to obtain than anyone in this little Puritan Connecticutsettlement could imagine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Fiction - General    3. General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Babies & Toddlers