Reviews (2)

A good way to introdue number strings
I find 12 Ways to Get to 11 to be a very useful tool for the classroom. Every two pages focuses on a different way to get to the number eleven. The pictures correspond directly to what is being said. This is a good springboard for more discussion and work for different combinations of numbers. Teachers can take advantage of the format in which each combination is presented and have their students come up with their own "number stories." This book provides a good alternative way of thinking about addition.

Makes Children Think
What a neat way to illustrate the concept of basic addition!Our kindergarten teacher read this book to the class and it provided an example to the children that adding numbers together can be done in a variety of ways:from simple to higher level thinking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Addition    2. Children's 4-8 - Mathematics    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Concepts - Counting    6. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    7. Counting    8. Eleven (The number)    9. Juvenile literatur    10. Juvenile literature    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

A Must Read for Every Classroom
Ijust recently attended a reading workshop hosted by famous reading researcher, Yetta Goodman.I was enchanted and moved when she read this to us, 75 teachers.The magical text, along with the beautiful illustrationscelebrate every child's need for curiosity and day dreaming!A must havefor any children's library collection!

Children will learn the first steps to gaining new knowledge
I recently read "The Wise Woman and Her Secret" after talking to our school children about the art of "wondering". We are often told new information by others, however, it is more important that we gainnew knowledge by way of our own wondering. Eve Merriam helps us to gain anappreciation for this art by telling this beautiful story. Those who rushthrough life don't get the chance to wonder. Those who slow down and pickup pennies, or seashells find lots to wonder about and even more to learn.The old woman and the young girl have this gift. One knows that it is agift and not really a secret, while the other simply enjoys herself and theworld around her. Every child and parent should read this story. It willhelp to pave the way towards a successful life-long learning experience forboth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Intellect    7. Juvenile Literature    8. Secrets    9. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    10. Wisdom    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance   

Reviews (8)

Frighteningly Good!!
Lovely! Just Lovely!What a perfect book for reading (for kids to read alone or as a read out loud/story time book). I note that some adult readers were shocked and disturbed by the images and poems and seem to feel this book only has merit if read and enjoyed by older kids.I agree that the sly and dark humor would definitely be appreciated by older kids (10-14), it's still an ABC picture book, and while probably not suitable for all readers, I read this to my 6 and 8 year old and they loved it...the whole idea is that it's different, creepy, and meant to be quite different than your run of the mill ABC books.Parent's should be reading ahead of their kids at all times, KNOW what your kids are reading, I don't censor per se, but I do decided it I think it should be a year or so before my kids read something, or if it's appropriate to the age they are, even if it might be a little disturbing.I'd recommend Halloween ABC in a heartbeat, each parent must decide on their own if it's right for THEIR child.
Not appropriate for preschoolers
I'm not a book banning type, but I do plan on bringing this one to the attention of our children's librarian.My 4 and 5 yr olds grabbed it off the shelf at the public library.I don't have a problem with it for older kids, but common sense would tell you that an ABC picture book would be for preschoolers.This one is NOT.I didn't read the entire book.I was reading it to my kids and stopped when I got to letter I."An icy stabbing so swiftly done, the victim scarcely felt it.The police are baffled: "Where's the weapon?" The sun shines down to melt it."Yikes!That will teach me to be more careful to review anything my kids select before we check it out, even in the children's section where you would think you're safe!

Oldsters Only?
I'm in high school now, and my interest in things like the banning of books caused me to research the most COMMONLY banned or challenged books.I was shocked to see 'Halloween ABC' on the list.I remembered the book, so I checked around to make sure it was the same one.Coming across this website, I read people's various reviews on it, and noticed that everyone seems to agree that this book is mainly for older children.While I agree that older kids can enjoy this book, I thought I had to say that I have incredibly fond memories of reading it - over and over and over again - during first grade.Niether my mother nor I had any problems with the pictures or the poems in the book.I naturally respect everyone's opinions, but I just had to say that 'Halloween ABC' is simply to good a book to bar from younger kids libraries! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet rhymes    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Concepts - Alphabet    5. Halloween    6. Holidays & Celebrations - Halloween    7. Holidays & Festivals - Halloween    8. Juvenile poetry    9. Poetry    10. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Halloween   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Merriam, Eve    6. Natural history    7. Nature    8. Preschool Picture Story Books    9. Quietude   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Individuality    6. Vocabulary   

Editorial Review

Poet Eve Merriam and Caldecott Honor artist Lane Smith have masteredcreepy. In 1987, they first created the award-winning Read more

Reviews (4)

Great creepy book
I don't know which I like better, the frightening poems or ghoulish artwork, but both come together magically to make this a great Halloween book.Would not recommend for children under 6, but older children will get a reak kick out of it.Very unique and I think will be a classic.

Very dull and boring
This book was not for a young child to read.Do not recommend at all.

Love Collecting Books
As a big fan of Lane Smith's work, I was instantly attracted to this book. A collector of Halloween picture books, I knew that this book would be a frightfully, wonderful addtion to my collection. The illustrations of this book set the right eerie tone for Halloween. Eve Merriam's poems are wonderfully sinister! I am a 6th grade teacher and will definitely read some of the poems to my class during Halloween week, however I would not recommend this book for young children. The tone of the book is not just scary but sinister, the letter D for instance should never be read aloud to students. It speaks of the demonic characters Beezlebub and Satan. The illustration is wonderful but the words are not appropriate for students. The other letters are not as evil but still conjure up creepy thoughts about Halloween. This is a wonderful addition to a Halloween collection that will be kept on my personal shelf for me to read aloud. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet rhymes    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Concepts - Alphabet    6. Halloween    7. Holidays & Celebrations - Halloween    8. Holidays & Festivals - Halloween    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile poetry    11. Merriam, Eve    12. Supernatural    13. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Halloween   

Reviews (5)

What if Mother Goose lived in the ghetto?
I first heard Eve Merriam's "The Inner City Mother Goose" in 1971, when it was part of the Oral Interpretation performed by Richard Quezada that won the New Mexico State Speech contest.Rick had a wonderful deep voice, the sort that radio DJs would die for, and he made these poems really come alive.Today people get all excited by politically correct fairy tales, but for our generation it was Merriam turning nursery rhymes on their head to reflect the realities of the urban ghetto that were a sign of the times.These are not parodies, but telling satires that take beloved nursery rhymes as their point of departure.Most of the time her starting points are perfectly clear, as with "Simple Simon, "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick," and "If."Besides, not all of her reference points are nursery rhymes, because you will also see the echoes of Christmas carols (e.g., "Twelve Rooftops Leaping").Other poems simply are in the general style of children's rhymes, albeit with more serious intent (but then remember, "Ring Around the Rosie" was about the Black Death). Inner City Mother Goose
I enjoyed and recommend this book because Merriam writes from the point of veiw of a person living in the situation, not of one looking down on it. She portrayed things the way they were then, and sadly, the way they are now.

Food for Thought
Dubbed a "powder keg" by LIBRARY JOURNAL when it was first published in 1969, THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE is probably Eve Merriam's most influential, provocative, and controversial book. It was the source of two musical plays, INNER CITY, which opened on Broadway in 1971, and STREET DREAMS, which opened in 1982, the same year a new edition of the book was released. A third edition, with an introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, was published in 1996.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Poetry    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. City and town life    6. Inner cities    7. Juvenile poetry    8. Mother Goose    9. Parodies, imitations, etc    10. Poetry - Mother Goose    11. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Collections by a Single Author   

Reviews (1)

Daddies at Work
A good focus on the family/fathers. Ethinic diversity. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Employment    5. Fathers    6. General    7. Juvenile literature    8. Occupations    9. Juvenile Fiction / Business, Careers, Occupations   

Reviews (1)

A bright and cozy book
Eve Merriam's text is cozy and warm in this lullaby book.Adult readers will remember that the world looks different when you have the height of a child.Children will enjoy Paparone's brightly colored illustrations that make the world a happy place to look at.Nothing exciting happens except for the wonder of seeing the world and celebrating its many sights.This is a great read for a quiet time or bedtime when a peaceful, soothing text is wanted.However, some of the images and words may require explaining, especially the appearance of a milkman. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Concepts - General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Nature & the Natural World - General    6. Stories in rhyme    7. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / General   

Reviews (2)

Ten Rosy Roses
This colorful book is a backward counting book using roses asthe items to be counted.As the roses are taken by the children,their names rhyme with the number of roses left.A good book for kindergarten and 1st grade use.Contains good color illustrations and will be a good book for the teachers to use.

An excellentcounting book that's fun
The text is catchy; the illustrations are bright and clear.This is a high-energy counting book that also teaches the concept of subtraction.A bonus is that it shows the numbers as red dots (roses) also, a concept thatis recommended by Glenn Doman's "Teach Your Baby Math"book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's poetry, American    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Concepts - Counting    5. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    6. Concepts - Words    7. Counting    8. Counting-out rhymes    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Nature & the Natural World - Flowers    11. Poetry - General    12. Science & Nature - Flowers & Plants    13. Numbers & counting   

Reviews (1)

Recommended for the busy toddler or young child!
When I worked for a day care center, this was one of my favorites to read to the toddlers.It was one of the children's favorites as well. They loved to repeat the rhythmic lines (and Bam! Bam! Bam! is easy for even abeginning talker to repeat).This book does a lot to engage young childrenvisually as well with its bold and bright pictures, containing some of themost interesting illustrations in children's books.If you can find it, Ialsorecommend the audio cassette for this book.Children will naturallyfollow thebeats and rhythm of the song -like narration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's poetry, American    3. Children: Preschool    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile poetry    6. Poetry    7. Poetry - General    8. Transportation - General    9. Wrecking    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / How Things Work    11. Modern fiction   

Reviews (2)

LOVED IT AS A KID, APPRECIATE IT AS A DAD
A VERY FUNNY AND CLEVER STORY OFA CONFUSED LITTLE BOY.WONDERFUL ILLUSTRATIONS ADD TO THE CHARM. MY COPY IS ABOUT USED UP,IT'S NEARLY 30 YEARS OLD. IT IS MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON'S FAVORITE AS WAS IT MY OWN FAVORITEGROWING UP.

Humorous story of a mother's unconditional love for her son.
No matter how many silly mistakes that noodlehead Epaminondas makes, his mother knows he means well, and instead of becoming angry, she seems to find her little boy all the more lovable.While this endearing story issure to bring smiles and laughter, it may also bring a tear or two. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 2-3   

Subjects:  1. American    2. American poetry    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children's poetry, American    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. General   

Reviews (8)

...And A Good Time Was Had By All!
This book has become an old family friend! I wouldn't characterize it as a bedtime book, because the children quickly memorize these silly poems and "read" along with you, bouncing in rhythm. The book created wonderful family memories; last week my former toddler picked it up from the shelf and read it to me, and we both started giggling again - it's rollicking good fun.

Disappointed
With all the attention and honors this book has received, I expected more from it.While the subject matter is valid and the illustrations are delightful, I was disappointed by the forced feeling (irregular rhythms, strong rhymes sporadically spaced) that prevailed throughout it.It was almost as though Merriam was trying too hard to be flamboyant-- nearing overbearance despite all her southern-sounding charm.

This book is a riot!!!
This book is so very funny!!!The poems are extremely catchy and adorably cute...this is a must have for all parents with toddlers...the illustrations are not fabulous but are cute enough...My only problem, is these are not sleep motivating!!! They are most definitely JUMP ON THE BED poems!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Children's 4-8 - Poetry / Plays    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry    5. Children's poetry, American    6. Children: Preschool    7. Poetry - General    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Picturebooks    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    6. Lifestyles - City Life    7. Neighborhood    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Social Issues - Community & Neighborhood    10. Social Situations - Community & Neighborhood    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American poetry    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry, American    5. Children: Grades 4-6   

Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's poetry    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. General    6. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

The best book of poems ever written for young children
This book is so wonderful. I am 15 years old and I still read poems out of this book when I am having a bad day.If you do order this book witch I suggest you do read the poem about 5 little monsters. This poem alwaysmakes me smile! This book is great for childern in Kindergarrden because itis easy reading and the language is very detailed. This poems relate tochildren too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's poetry, American    3. Children: Preschool    4. General    5. Humorous poetry    6. Nonsense verses   

Reviews (1)

Happy Rhymes for Young Children
Higgle Wiggle: Happy Rhymes contains 25 cute poems written for young children.These playful poems are mainly written about animals, food, and feelings.The words are vivid and cater to preschool children.Onomatopeia is also utilized in many of the poems.The watercolorillustrations are done in a fun, whimsical manner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children's poetry    6. Children's poetry, American    7. Children: Preschool    8. General    9. Poetry - General    10. Poetry - Nursery Rhymes    11. English    12. English literature: literary criticism    13. English literature: poetry texts & anthologies    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Animals    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. English language    6. General    7. Juvenile literature