Editorial Review

Nominated for a 1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, Read more

Reviews (32)

Wonderfully riveting Holocaust story. Life affirming!
This book is a tragic adventure. Anita Lobel recalls the arrival of the Nazis and the end of her childhood as she knew it. I was thankful this book was a fast read, the suspense of what would happen to Lobel and her brother was too much at times. The writing is beautiful and appropriate for young readers as well as adults. Beautiful photos.

A Deadly Game of Hide-and-Seek
Imagine playing hide-and seek, but you are hiding from the German Nazis because you are illegal. Every time they get close to you, a new hiding spot must be found, or your life will be put on the line. During the Holocaust, young Hanusiu played by these rules everyday. Told from a child's point of view, No Pretty Pictures is the memoir of Anita Lobel, earlier called Hanusiu, and her journey through the secrets, tears, and sacrifices of the Holocaust. Ms. Lobel did an amazing job describing everything that happened to her in those fatal years. One part that held excruciating description was when Hanusiu was forced into her first Concentration Camp. I felt as though I was walking into the camp alongside Hanusiu. The other prisoners, barracks, nervousness, and overall feeling of pain were expressed in a way that I cannot believe was seen through a child's eyes. Another major event that took place was when Hanusiu was diagnosed with tuberculosis after she had been rescued. She was forced to stay in a sanatorium for about a year and a half to cure the chronic disease. I could feel her hope and insecurities as each day passed, knowing that she might never get out. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a clear picture of what happened during the Holocaust, supported with lots of description, and seen through a true survivor's eyes.

A Deadly Game of Hide-and-Seek
Imagine playing hide-and seek, but you are hiding from the German Nazis because you are illegal.Every time they get close to you, a new hiding spot must be found, or your life will be put on the line. During the Holocaust, young Hanusiu played by these rules everyday.Told from a child's point of view, No Pretty Pictures is the memoir of Anita Lobel, earlier called Hanusiu, and her journey through the secrets, tears, and sacrifices of the Holocaust.Ms. Lobel did an amazing job describing everything that happened to her in those fatal years.One part that held excruciating description was when Hanusiu was forced into her first Concentration Camp.I felt as though I was walking into the camp alongside Hanusiu.The other prisoners, barracks, nervousness, and overall feeling of pain were expressed in a way that I cannot believe was seen through a child's eyes.Another major event that took place was when Hanusiu was diagnosed with tuberculosis after she had been rescued.She was forced to stay in a sanatorium for about a year and a half to cure the chronic disease.I could feel her hope and insecurities as each day passed, knowing that she might never get out.I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a clear picture of what happened during the Holocaust, supported with lots of description, and seen through a true survivor's eyes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Family - General    7. History - Holocaust    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Jewish children in the Holocaust    10. Jews    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Krakâow    14. Personal narratives    15. Poland    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Historical    17. Personal awareness: family, relationship & social issues    18. Sweden    19. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (5)

A visual delight!
Both of my children adored this book, and I recently bought it for a great niece.The illustrations are detailed, fascinating and very lovely.The simple narrative unites the book and makes it more interesting than many alphabet books.One thing I especially appreciated is that the final illustration showing the main character leaving Market Street after shopping at every booth really *does* have one of all 26 items in it. Children notice things like that and mine were very happy that they could work through that last picture and find everything from A to Z in it!

Amazing Illustrations Make a Wonderful ABC Learner
I was quite surprised when I first opened this book. The title does not do justice to the fact that this is one of the best ABC books available. The illustrations are quite amazing, full of intricate details and laced with humor. My six year old already knows her ABCs well, but thoroughly enjoyed looking at this book and thought the illustrations were absurd and hilarious. Laughter rang from the back seat as she read. It goes beyond "A is for apple, D is for dog" and brings a fresh change of pace to ABC books bringing laughter and enjoyment to a child and awe and applause from a grown-up.

On Market Street
I am a student of West Virginia State College, currently taking a class on Children's Literature.Mr. Samples (A Wonderful Teacher) has instructed us to review a Caldecott Honor book and write our thoughts on it.I read this book and was very pleased to see that it was not only well illustrated and would be enjoyed by children of all ages, but was also a great ABC book.The rhyming of the beginning and ending would make this a good memorizing/practice book for younger children learning the ABC's and the illustrations are funny (using each item as the person's outfit) so that the child reading this would stay interested and learn with fun!!I definitely recommend this book to all parents and teachers who are teaching a child the ABC's! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Children's 4-8 - Language Arts    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Classics    7. Concepts - Alphabet    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Shopping    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Alphabet   

Reviews (7)

Undiscovered treasure
I have been searching for this book for years!I read it one time when I was about 8 years old, and fell in love with the story.Many years later, after forgetting the title and author, I have finally found it!I have spent countless hours searching for this book on-line and in bookstores.Princess Furball is a wonderful, inspiring version of Cinderella.I love that she isn't a damsel in distress that lets everybody do stuff for her, because in my mind that's not a heroine!Princess Furball has spunk!

Please read this book.
The book Princess Furball is a good book because it is full of surprises. Her father is going to make her marry an ogre!The book is full of surprising twists and turns.I think that you should read this book.

Fantastic Fairy Tale
I have been trying to find a copy of this book for over a year. A librarian read it to my class when I was just a little kid and I loved it. Upon finding it on Amazon I remembered why...it was such a great story. Not your average princess, she uses resourcefulness and her wits to take charge of her fate. Now my best friend is expecting her first child and I am excited to have someone to get this book for. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. England    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    5. Fairy tales    6. Folklore    7. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General   

Reviews (3)

A beautiful addition to any child's library!
When my son fell in love with all things blooming, I began my search for a book about flowers. I had been searching for a book that featured several different flower types and their names, as well as color illustrations. I was so pleased when I found Alison's Zinnia! Not only are there beautiful color paintings of the different blooms, there is also a narrative that teaches the ABC's. A few of the flower types are difficult to pronounce (even for the adults out there!), and how many girls do we really know named Xantippa? Also, I was a little disappointed that all the names featured in the book were little girls. I would have liked to see some boys thrown in the mix. Especially since I bought his book for my son. But I still think that the book is a priceless addition to our family library.

enchanting
My 4 year old daughter and I found this book light-hearted and enchanting.The illustrations are beautiful.The book flows smoothly from start to finish making it a very pleasurable read for both parent and child.Mydaughter brings this book to me on a daily basis and we have read it overand over again.Delightful!

Flowers A to Z
Anita Lobel's Alison's Zinnia is a unique alphabet book using a circular tale to lead the reader from A to Z. Each page has one line which begins with a girl's name and a flower for that particular letter and ends with agirl's name for the next letter, "Heather hosed a Hyacinth forIrene".The split page illustrations show a largedetailed paintingof the flower on top and the story line with the alphabet letter below thetext.I believe children will enjoy the challenge of the unusual names andthe flowers portrayed in the picture book.In the classroom it would be agreat children's literature rewrite.The students could use, for example,boys names and vegetables to create their own classroom version.Anotherexample of her beautiful art work and her ability to capture the details ofa flower are in The Rose in my Garden by Arnold and Anita Lobel. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Concepts - Alphabet    5. Fiction    6. Flowers    7. Girls & Women    8. Nature & the Natural World - General    9. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Reviews (4)

Sleepy bee blues
If you are at all familiar with that classic nursery rhyme, "The House That Jack Built", then you will find Arnold and Anita Lobel's beautiful, "The Rose In My Garden" to be a fine floral form of that already existing style.Using repetitive lines and pictures that, to my mind, are the finest Anita Lobel illustrations existing to date, the book is a perfect accompaniment to any leisurely summer storytime.
Cumulative story
The story is cute, but it is told in the cumulative manner, as in "The House that Jack Built." I would not recommend it for any child who can read more than a few words--maybe ages 4-6, but definitely not 4-8. The artwork is nice, though.

Enjoyable book
I enjoyed reading this book to my children for several reasons.The pictures were nicely drawn and colorful.My five year old liked to watch a new insect appear on each page and I helped her identify each type of flower that was featured as the story of the bee sleeping in the Roseunfolded.The style of the story was repetitive and progressive, in a". . . the house that Jack built" way, which appeals to youngreaders.The rhymes were fun, and some lines had internal rhymes as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bees    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Fiction    5. Flowers    6. Nature & the Natural World - Gardening    7. Roses    8. Stories in rhyme    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / General   

Editorial Review

Inspired by the everyday trinkets and treasures in her apartment, a grandmother tells her curious granddaughter stories based on their Russian Jewish heritage. An old tin button box reminds Grandmother about the poor farmer who outwitted a Czar. While cutting up apples for a strudel, Grandmother recalls the tale of a very rich, very greedy merchant who learned a lesson at the table of King Solomon. Choosing among carnations, gladioli, and roses in Moshe’s flower shop makes Grandmother think of a garden of talking--and bickering--flowers. Read more

Reviews (1)

Cooking Up Grandmother's Stories
Every story (each ties to a household object) includes many possibilities for cooking which delights ME (author of RECIPES FOR READING) and encourages young (and formerly young)readers to concoct recipes to amplify and fill out the stories. If every family had a collection of grandmotherly tales like this based on household things, there would be no hope for FootballOnTheTube as a holiday mainstay. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Country/Ethnic-General    4. Folklore    5. Jews    6. Juvenile Folk Tales / Mythology / Fables    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Literary Criticism & Collections    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Tales    11. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic   

Reviews (7)

Excellent, inspiring
Though my children are Spanish-speaking toddlers, they've appreciated this book and understand its warm and true message. It's beautiful, inspiring. Highly recommended.

Terrific Post-War Upbeat Book
This book is a classic, and was taped by Barbara Bush as part of the Presidential Literacy Project.It begins in a post-war environment, where no one has any money.The story is not only about how a coat is made, but also about how Anna's mother trades her posessions for wool and the services of the spinner, weaver, and tailor in order to make the coat.It culminates at a Christmas party, where all of the people who helped to make the coat are invited to Anna's house, and she even goes back to thank the sheep.The illustrations are well done, and the repetitive text makes it a story that is appropriate for children from 3yrs.(my son's age) to second graders which I have taught.

About Anna's New Coat
A New Coat for Anna is a good book because it shows the cycle of making a coat.The book shows how hard it was to get a coat long ago in World War II.I think it is very educational.I bet there are lots of other people who really want to read this book.I liked this book because it was interesting how Anna's mother had to use her special things to help Anna get a coat.She had to trade the things because there wasn't much money because of the war.At the end, Anna celebrated with everybody that helped her make her coat because she was so happy that she had a new coat. I am eight and I love the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Coats    4. Family - Parents    5. Fiction    6. Historical - Military & Wars   

Reviews (3)

pure enchantment
This book should become a classic. The illustrations areincredible and echo Van Gogh. I bought it for a child who will be three in November and who is used to imagining what is brought forth by picture. Another child in our family always selected it as the book to be "read" first. As happens with children, they had internalized the book before I had. One day I said as a joke something like "blue shoes on Tuesday" -the reply was "No! No! Red Shoes on Tuesday." Great fun.

One Lighthouse, One Moon
As a semi-retired Elementary Librarian, I find very hard to stay out of the Childrens book Dept. of bookstores.This new one by Anita Lobel hasall the earmarks of a classic!It is lovely in every way.A must for kidsof all ages.

A new classic for my family
My 18 month old daughter loves this book and I read it to her every night. The book contains 3 small stories. One counts the days of the week with 7 pairs of shoes, the next the months and the final story counts 1-10 withseashore imagery. The three stories are tied together by a striped cat youcan watch for on virtually every page. The drawings are beautiful, withlots to look for on each page. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cats    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    5. Concepts - Time    6. Days    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Months    10. Nature & the Natural World - General    11. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / General   

Reviews (2)

A warm-hearted picturebook intended for ages 2 and up
Written in a throughly engaging prose poem style by Newbery Honor Book author Kevin Henkes, and strikingly illustrated by Anita Lobel, So Happy! is the picturebook story of a boy, a rabbit, a magic seed, and a book (which the reader is holding in his hands). The seed grows into a beautiful flower, the boy wanders looking for something to do, and the curious rabbit explores until he is lost... but happiness awaits at the end of a long day, when the rabbit comes home to sleep cozily, and the boy finds the flower that the seed became - it's the perfect gift for his mother! A warm-hearted picturebook intended for ages 2 and up.
So simple, so sweet
The prose is so simple, it's stark:
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Rabbits    2. Children's Baby/Preschool    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - General    6. Fiction    7. Flowers    8. General    9. Henkes, Kevin    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Lobel, Anita    12. Nature & the Natural World - General    13. Rabbits    14. Seeds    15. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    5. Fairy tales    6. Folklore    7. France    8. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    9. English literature: fiction texts    10. Fiction   

Reviews (1)

A nice journey, but a few disturbing questions...
My 10 month old son really enjoys this book.The format is nice, with large pages, little writing and great pictures.I bought it because I want him to be exposed to many parts of the world and its people.But a few things trouble me:1) Why are only the boys traveling to the exotic placesand the little girls just sit in the audience? 2)Why are there no locationsin Africa?There is good diversity of the little boys and girls, but itseems the places could have been a little more representative of the globe. I think Ms. Lobel could have lost Tulsa and substituted Timbuktu. 3) Theletter C is very disturbing- "Craig crawled in Cracow".AndCraig has a Star of David on his hat.What are we to think of this?Isthis implying that Jews should be crawling?Or is it some sort ofnot-so-subtle historical reference with no context within which tointerpret it?I find it a little out of place in a childs book.Let usworry about explaining man's inhumanity to man when the kids are a littleolder please.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Boys / Men    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Concepts - Alphabet    7. Fiction    8. People & Places - General    9. Travel    10. Juvenile Fiction / Boys & Men    11. Linguistics   

Subjects:  1. American    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. General    5. Lullabies   

Subjects:  1. Children: Babies & Toddlers    2. Denmark    3. Folklore    4. Sweden   

Subjects:  1. 1564-1616    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Literary    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Drama    7. Dramatists, English    8. Early modern, 1500-1700    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Lobel, Anita    12. Performing Arts - Theater    13. Shakespeare, William,    14. Juvenile Fiction / Performing Arts    15. Shakespeare, William   

Reviews (2)

every evening it had to be read
Every night I made my mother read this to me, and once she finished, she always knew to read it again. One of my all time favorites.

it was fun to read
when i read sven's bridge. it was a colorful story that i could not wait to turn the page ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bridges    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Kings, queens, rulers, etc    7. Kings, queens, rulers, etc.    8. Lobel, Anita    9. Preschool Picture Story Books   

Reviews (3)

Potato Magic
This is a wonderful book with an uncomplicated plot.It is the age old story of the futility and suffering of war with a distinct potato flavor. Potatoes Potatoes is worth a look forthe illustrations alone, intricate tapestiries capturing the period. Each detailed page is a stand alone work of art.
Potatoes Potatoes by Anita Lobel
I first read this book as a college student (studying Elem Education) and never forgot it. The plot is just marvelous and the book emphasizes the importance of family. As a middle-aged mother of two, I am now purchasing this out-of-print book for my family. This picture book is a MUST READ for children AND adults. You cannot go wrong with it!

Nostalgic reaction
I remember loving this look when I was little...it was a favorite of all my siblings as well, and we would often take it out from the library.I don't want to reveal too much of the plot, but it's the story of a family that always eats potatoes at every meal.The two sons get sick of their lives working in the potato fields and each runs off to join an army...two different armies that must eventually fight each other.That's all I'll say about the plot, but I remember liking the drawings and the anti-war ending.I hope you can find a copy of this wonderful children's book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Family - General    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Historical - Military & Wars    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Lobel, Anita    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Social Issues - Violence    12. War    13. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (1)

marvellous tale of Scottish Lore
The Scottish tale the Black Bull of Norroway, is a wonderful tale the Cinderella fashion.A mother has three beautiful daughters, and each go out to find their fortune.The first two ask a fortuneteller about their future, asking for a rich husband, and she tells them to look out their back door.The first one saw, she sees a fine coach, so she runs out and climbs in.The second daughter does the same and a coach comes for her.The third one is a modest last and she tells the old crone, she just wants a husband that loves her.When she looks out the back door and sees a black bull.The witch tells her to go climb upon the bull and go seek her fortune.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    4. Fairy tales    5. Folklore    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    8. Love & Romance    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Scotland    11. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Poetry - General    6. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas   

Reviews (1)

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift
"This Quiet Lady " would be my perfect Mother's Day Gift.The story is simple:a little girl is looking at photographs of her motherthrough the years.Her mothers as a baby, as a baby, young girl, bride,and then, finally, as a mother.`This quiet lady, lovely and large...is mymother...And here is where I begin."Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Family - General    4. Family - Parents    5. Fiction    6. Girls & Women    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Mothers    9. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women    10. Picture books   

Reviews (4)

wonderful illustrations
Tongue twister or illeration? Don't expect to take this book home and read it aloud to your children. This book is full of poems some adults won't understand. A Luminous Book for Christmas Reading
In STABLE RAT, Julia Cunningham is at her poetic best. Here, her unique voice is evident, singing strong and clear. Cunningham has an astonishing ability to see the world from an animal's point of view. Even a lowly rat is elevated to beauty as he shares the holy stable on the night of Jesus' birth. "I am a shadow, gray, gray, gray--never lightened by scarlet or splotched gold or even a dot of the green I see when I gaze from the cracks peering out of my necessary night." Another poem in the collection, "A Sheep Speaks", and a personal favorite of mine, begins: "I stand within my wool and wonder. There's been a great scurry ever since the sky blued and the wind stilled. Our leader looked up, pointing his nose at a star." Anita Lobel's astonishingly vivid illustrations make a perfect match for the poetry. Both are reverent and lyrical. Both leap beyond the limits of the expected and flash into brilliance.

A Luminous Book for Christmas Reading
In STABLE RAT, Julia Cunningham is at her poetic best. Here, her unique voice is evident, singing strong and clear. Cunningham has an astonishing ability to see the world from an animal's point of view. Even a lowly rat is elevated to beauty as he shares the holy stable on the night of Jesus' birth. "I am a shadow, gray, gray, gray--never lightened by scarlet or splotched gold or even a dot of the green I see when I gaze from the cracks peering out of my necessary night." Another poem in the collection, "A Sheep Speaks", and a personal favorite of mine, begins: "I stand within my wool and wonder. There's been a great scurry ever since the sky blued and the wind stilled. Our leader looked up, pointing his nose at a star." Anita Lobel's astonishingly vivid illustrations make a perfect match for the poetry. Both are reverent and lyrical. Both leap beyond the limits of the expected and flash into brilliance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Poetry / Plays    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children's poetry, American    6. Children: Preschool    7. Christmas    8. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    9. Holidays & Festivals - Christmas    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile poetry    12. Poetry    13. Poetry - General    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas