Editorial Review

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk go the blueberries into the pail of a little girl named Sal who--try as she might--just can't seem to pick as fast as she eats. Robert McCloskey's classic is a magical tale of the irrepressible curiosity--not to mention appetite--of youth. Sal and her mother set off in search of blueberries for the winter at the same time as a mother bear and her cub. A quiet comedy of errors ensues when the young ones wander off and absentmindedly trail the wrong mothers. Read more

Reviews (60)

A Sweet Little Story
I purchased this book to read to my baby and it is just a sweet little tale about Mommies and their mischievious babies.I can't wait until she is old enough to sit on my lap and really understand the story when I read it to her.I highly recommend it.

It's an Oldie but a Goldie!
My kindergarten teacher had also read this book to me and now I'm reading it to my kids, but really to my son because he's 4 and my daughter is 8. She listens to it when it comes time for me to read it to him because she would find it amusing. Blueberries for Sal preserve a distinct since of life when tin pails and wood smoke, bobby pins and rambling dirt roads were routine. At the same time it is a timeless portrayal of curiosity and maternal instinct as Sal and her mother find themselves sharing their berry patch with a hungry bear cub and its mother. The words flow in a natural rhythm, creating patterns that build anticipation.
Good book
My daughter loved this book from the age of six and continues to love it now that she is just about eight.This book doesn't hold my six year old son's interest as long as it did my daughter's but he does like it.Makes a nice gift for any that age group. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bears    2. Children's Baby - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Mother and child    9. English literature: essays, letters & other non-fiction prose works    10. English literature: literary criticism    11. Juvenile Fiction / Lifestyles / Farm Life   

Editorial Review

It's not easy for duck parents to find a safe place to bring up their ducklings, but during a rest stop in Boston's Public Garden, Mr. and Mrs.Mallard think they just might have found the perfect spot--no foxes or turtles in sight, plenty of peanuts from pleasant passers-by, and the benevolent instincts of a kindly police officer to boot. Young readers will love the mother duck's proud, loving protection of her wee webbed ones, and those with fond memories of Boston will enjoy familiar locales, from Beacon Hill to Louisburg Square, and over the Charles River--often from a duck's-eye view. Robert McCloskey, creator of Read more

Reviews (41)

A great classic
This edition is a reprint of a classic book telling the tale of a mother duck trying to move her ducklings across the city to a new home. I use to get the biggest bang out of this book, and still do, imagining all the people taking time out to stop for the little duck family.It is a piece of history to hold on to, reminding everyone to stop once in a while and enjoy the small things going on around us, and to respect nature and its animals.Although I don't know if the book was intended to make that big impact, reflecting on it now, especially as many towns expand, certainly brings this up. This is a must have book for the family collection to read before bedtime.

Quack Quack- A timeless story
This book was one of the few books that was always at the top of the stack at my grandmothers house when I was a child.It tells the story of a mother duck getting all of her ducklings across boston through many dangerous/exciting situations, and the accomidations many kind people made for them.This is a book that should hopefully become one of my children's favorites, and hopefully yours too.

Excellent choice
This book is the one that hooked me on its author/illustrator. In my experience the age 2-3 crowd enjoys it so please do not wait until 4. I must confess to a having a passion for older "retro" books. This one is great because the story conveys a message of family togetherness, a sense of community and safety. The illustration is excellent and represents the Boston area well. While I do not live there I plan on a family vacation there and the book will come along.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Boston (Mass.)    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Classics    6. Ducks    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Animal stories    11. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    12. Picture books   

Reviews (48)

reliving the past with this generation
I look forward to having grandchildren to read this to.As much fun in 2006 as it was when I was a child.

Homer Price Is a great book!!
The story is about a boy that lives in a town called Centerburg, where Route 56 meets 56A. There are six stories about Homer Price and the people in his town. My personal favorite story is the "The Doughnuts." It is about his Uncle Ulysses lunchroom and the gadgets and the outrageous inventions in there. One day something goes wrong.
Homer Price is a great book!
The story is about a boy that lives in a town called Centerburg, where Route 56 meets 56A. There are six stories about Homer Price and the people in his town. My personal favorite story is the "The Doughnuts". It is about his Uncle Ulysses lunchroom and the gadgets and the outrageous inventions in there. One day something goes wrong.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Classics    4. Humorous Stories    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (18)

Really nice story
I bought this book to give to one of my kids as a reward for doing a great job on report card!I haven't given it to my daughter just yet but I have read the book and thought it was really great.A nice book for children in the ages of 6ish to 8ish.

My favorite McCloskey book
The artwork is great. The story, while long and a bit dated, has broad appeal. Even if today's kids cannot relate to a "back to nature" scenario they will surely become more engaged the next time you take them to the beach or on a boat and they will be excited to lose their teeth.
Precious Story
Beautiful story that incorporates the great childhood milestone of losing a first tooth with a special day with Dad.We just love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Family    5. Family - Daily Life    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. Health & Daily Living - Daily Activities    9. Maine    10. People & Places - United States    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (12)

Like a dream
I read my children to sleep with this book every night.They call it their dream book since they drift off to sleep with thoughts of sand and sea in their heads.The words draw beautiful pictures.

Boring!?I think not
The reviewer who found this book "boring" must not have much in the way of imagination.This was one of my favorite books as a child and I still remember it fondly (I'm 38).It doesn't matter if you haven't had experiences exactly like those of the children in the book.The writing and the illustrations make you feel as if you are there.You can practically smell the sea, hear the wind and rain, and the laughter of the kids at the beach.While drawing a vivid picture of a concrete time and place, the book also invokes a sense of timelessness, as well as of "deep time" and the ancient rythyms of nature.I think my favorite moment is when one of the girls stands in a forested area on a misty morning, her eyes closed, and listens to nature awakening around her. Time keeps on slipping
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Classics    5. Description and travel    6. Fiction    7. Maine    8. Picture books    9. Early learning / early learning concepts    10. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Reviews (7)

Homer Price is back...
Centerburg Tales is the second book to hold stories about Homer Price and friends.The first four stories are tales from Grandpa Hercules, an old man known for his tall tales.All of the stories, including the three not told by Hercules, are fun to read, even outloud!Giant ragweeds, 'Eversomuch More-So' (which makes everything better) and a song you just can't stop singing!Good, old fashion, drug free, rocket-ship free, non-violent FUN for most of the family. Homer Price redux
This is a great sequel to the original "Homer Price".Homer and his friends are off on more wacky adventures, each one funnier than the last.The final story, in which Homer and his fellow citizens are literally dancing all over town, is one of the most hilarious children's tales ever written.McCloskey had magic in his writing pen and his drawing pencil; it's hard to say which are better, the stories or the illustrations.Suffice to say that they all add up to a wonderful book for young folks.Highly recommended.

Tall Tales that Stick with you
The Adventures of Homer Price in the quaint town of Centerburg are flat out hilarious.Homer's uncle Hercules quickly sets the tone of disbelief by spinning some yarns that have just enough "truth" to them to be plausible.This is a truly a story of the American Scene in a time when people entertained themselves by gabbing with one another and singing songs together instead of hiding in the basement watching videos.Good old timey values like hucksterism, lying, and cheating face the good natured community of Centerburg and sometimes turn it upside down.Strange things happen in Centerburg, and the curious Homer Price is going to get to the bottom of it.Robert McClosky is also one of our finest illustrators and his lively drawings add texture and background to the story.Highly Recommeded. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. General    4. Humorous stories    5. Short stories    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction / Lifestyles / City Life   

Reviews (2)

lovely book and character training
This is a lovely story set in a town in Ohio during the '40s.Lentil learns to play a harmonica and there are sweet scenes of small town life as well as a marching band.My 3.5 year old son loves this book, along with all of McCloskey's books.What has been wonderful for us about this book is the character of "Old Sneep", who grumbles and does mean things.This has really hit home with my son regarding our teaching of having a joyful heart and not complaining.Great literature at its best.

Excellent book for a musically inclined child.
This is an excellent book for the musically inclined child whose singing voice is a little less than melodious. In the book, the vocally challenged Lentil finds his mantra through the harmonica and ends up saving the day with it. My father gave me this book along with a harmonica when I was seven years old in response to my wobbly warbling, and I've been playing harmonica and many other instruments ever since. I just can't 'harp' enough on how great of inspiration this book was to me and could be for other vocally vexed children. -stephen ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Harmonica    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    8. Performing Arts - Music    9. English literature: essays, letters & other non-fiction prose works    10. English literature: literary criticism    11. Juvenile Fiction / Lifestyles / City Life   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Birds    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's stories, American    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Classics    6. Family - General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Short stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (14)

great summer reading
"Henry Reed, Inc." is the first of a series of books about a fourteen-year-old boy who is the son of a diplomat.The book was written in the late fifties and is Henry's journal about what happens when he is sent to New Jersey to spend the summer with his relatives.His teacher gave him an assignment to report on the free enterprise system in the United States, so Henry starts a business.Soon he has acquired a dog and a business partner in the form of the girl next door, Midge.Their adventures are hilarious and innocent.All of the Henry Reed books are really entertaining and to me epitomize what a summer vacation should be about.They would be perfect for readers over ten.

Great for kids who are too old for kids books
Henry Reed is an unforgettable character, a strange mix of can-do entrepreneurialism and good-hearted goofiness who would make any parent proud.
britt from richview middle school
The main characters of the story are Henry and Midge. Henry moved here from Naples,Italy. They tried to start a research business out of a old barn.To find out more you will have to read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business enterprises    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. City and town life    5. Diaries    6. Fiction    7. Moneymaking projects    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Juvenile Fiction / Business, Careers, Occupations   

Reviews (4)

This is an EXCELLENT BOOK!!!
Why all the minimal ratings here??? I was OVERJOYED to find this wonderful collection of McCloskey's works!!! I grew up in New England, so the images and stories of Mcloskey are very close to my heart-and this edition is something I'm proud to have as part of my library.It was the only one I personally found that included Make Way For Ducklings, Lentil, Blueberries For Sal, One Morning in Maine, Burt Dow, Deep Water Man and my personal favorite, "Time of Wonder" (All of these stories are complete as well as Doghnuts from Homer Price and Ever So Much More from The Canterburg Tales) I remembered the imagery so vividly from Time of Wonder but could not remember the title until I found this book-so I was thrilled to unearth this treasure! This book is printed on beautiful coffee-table/art book quality pages with a wonderful introduction, a great epilogue about the life of Robert McCloskey, real photos, as well as early sketches that would later influence his stories. The publishers for this edition did make a choice to transfer what would have printed on 2 pages in the indidividual childrens books to 1 page in this edition. Unlike a previous review, I don't believe that the images or type are too "crammed" but commend the publishers for being able to deliver all of Robert McCloskey's most well known stories PLUS lesser known treasures all in ONE VOLUME FOR A VERY REASONABLE PRICE. Of Course, you can find individual paperback copies of his more popular stories like One Morning in Maine and Blueberries For Sal-but (at least to my knowledge) your going to be pressed to find something this comprehensive in a hardback edition you can be proud to have on your library shelf for life!!! Make no mistake...This is a FANTASTIC EDITION YOU CAN TREASURE FOREVER FOLKS!!!

Classic!
Everyone should have a copy of this in their children's library.Beautiful, classic stories.

Very disappointed
The item description for this book is misleading.Even the book cover is misleading--it does NOT contain 8 complete stories.It contains 6 complete stories and one chapter each from Homer Price and Centerburg tales... so much for all of McCloskey's previously published works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthologies    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's stories    5. Children's stories, American    6. Children: Grades 1-2    7. Children: Grades 3-4    8. Classics    9. General    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Short Stories    12. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (5)

Whales with Band-Aids
My almost 5 year old son LOVES this book!I am not sure what is his favorite part - the colorful boat, the inside of the whale, the bandaids - but we have read this book at least 3 or 4 times a week for the past four weeks.

Great Book, in the Classic Tradition
This book was one of my favorites growing up. Unlike other favorites that I found weren't so great anymore, this one has held up. It is much better than either Blueberries for Sal or Make Way for Ducklings because there are more plot turns and the color in the book just pours and splashes out of the book. The illustrations are just fabulous. Burt Dow fan
This is one of my very truly most favorite childrens books.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Sea stories    6. Whales    7. Sports & Recreation / Fishing   

Reviews (5)

Baby-sitters and others will identify with Henry
Henry Reed, the thin and studious boy who likes to address problems in a logical manner, has set his sights on continuing his fledgling business. Reed and Glass, Inc. made Henry and his sometimes-obnoxious friend Midge Glass some money last year, and after a survey of the neighborhood, Henry discovers that there is a need for baby-sitters in the area. The bulk of the book focuses on the adventures that Henry faces as he tries to run a business with as many problems as rewards.
Fun and Games in this "classic"
This was the first Henry Reed book I ever read, shown to me by my mother. Right away I got into the story, though I hadn't read the preceding books in the series. I couldn't keep my eyes off the predicaments of Henry and his best friend, Midge, as they went through their problems and misadventures while looking after children. Told from Henry's point of view in a diary format, he tells a story well and with bits of humour inserted in there additionally. Keith Robertson has made a good character.

More fun from Henry and Midge
Anyone who has ever babysat before will be all-too-familiar with the trials Henry and Midge have to suffer through in this third book of the Henry Reed series. Keith Robertson does it once again with wackybabysitting scenarios everyone can identify with. You'll be cheering by theend of the book -- I guarantee it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baby sitters    2. Babysitters    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Diaries    7. Fiction    8. General    9. New Jersey    10. Juvenile Fiction / Business, Careers, Occupations   

Reviews (2)

Your kids will love it, again and again.
My introduction to Robert McCloskey came in his classic "Make Way for Ducklings." My two-year-old son was captivated by the illustrations and story and it became a regular request on his nightly bedtime reading list.
Books for kids don't get much better than this one!
This funny story, set in a much better and more innocent age, will delight children. Old Burt Dow, a frugal part-time fisherman, heads off to do a bit of fishing and gets a bit more than he bargained for. Nothing seems to rattle him, though, as he manages a leaky boat with a cantankerous engine, a threatening storm, and a whole herd of multi-colored whales. If only today's authors could write stuff like this! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Sea stories    6. Whales    7. Early learning / early learning concepts    8. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (6)

A Must Have
Beautiful story! My daughter loves it! This book is a classic that every child must hear. I have to read it over and over again to my three-year-old daughter. She loves the story and the names of the ducks.

Abran paso a los Patitos (Make Way for Ducklings)
This is a classic written by Robert McClosky in the 1940's, but is timeless like all classics.The duck parents are flying over Boston looking for a place to hatch their eggs and raise their ducklings.This version is all in Spanish, but I found out after ordering this book that there is a bilingual version also.It is a really long book to begin with so it would be interesting to see the bilingual version.

Abran paso a los patitos
A fabulous book and fantastically well translated by Osvaldo Blanco.Having read many books translated from English to Spanish, I feel that Sr. Blanco's translations are among the best and true to the original work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Birds    2. Boston (Mass.)    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Spanish: Preschool    7. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Ducks, Geese, etc.   

Reviews (4)

A tale of sorrow and elation
This is a delightful book about a poor family of an old man, an old woman and a young boy named Johnny who merrily whistles his way through life. However, the family comes on hard times when their animals are lost and the decision is made that Johnny must leave. He packs up his few possessions and the old woman bakes him a journey cake for him to eat. As he walks along, the cake pops out of his sack and rolls away, taunting him. He gives chase and when he passes various animals, they join in the pursuit of the journey cake. The cake rolls and rolls, until it eventually falls over. Johnny looks around and discovers that he is back where he started and he has brought an entire entourage of farm animals with him.
Really Superb Children's Book
I was born in Dec, 1950. My mother read this book to me as an infant (published 1953) and I was so enthralled by it that I had her read it to me many many times. Some part of me became the character in the book and I was completely lost in it. Possibly because I am a Sagittarius, I related to the travel and the journey and the ideals put forward.

I love this book
I've read this to many students and to my own children. Everyone loves this charming story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Folklore    4. Folklore & Mythology    5. United States   

Reviews (8)

A great story with cool illustrations!
I am 8 years old and I love this book. My mother received this book for Christmas from my uncle. She used to have it when she was a little girl. I think the story is very funny and imaginative. I especially like the drawings of the pumpkinhead and parsniphead. I recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor.
Inspired a song
I read this book when I was 9 years old.It was my favorite book when I was a kid, and I read it again and again.When I was 20, I wrote a song inspired by this book.A few years ago I managed to find a copy for sale (the one I had as a kid is long gone) and, of course, I bought it.The copy I bought was from a 1969 edition, the same edition I had as a kid.Almost hard to believe this book was originally published in 1942.

Just found my childhood copy.
I loved this book as a child.I read it over and over.The pictures were great.Sort of scary but that was half the fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 2-3    2. Fiction    3. Head   

Reviews (1)

Henry Reed's Big Show
This is the fourth book in the Henry Reed series.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Fiction    3. New Jersey    4. Production and direction    5. Rodeos    6. Theater   

Features

• Unabridged

Subjects:  1. General    2. Juvenile Fiction    3. Spanish: Grades 1-2