Editorial Review

Do you remember brave Belinda and her "realio, trulio, little pet dragon"? This Ogden Nash classic has been a favorite of children for more than 60 years and until recently was unavailable in a picture-book version. Artist Lynn Munsinger has rejuvenated the poem with her chuckle-inducing illustrations of no-nonsense Belinda and the cowardly green and purple dragon Custard. Belinda was a brave role model for young girls back when females weren't encouraged to stand up for themselves, and Custard's hidden reserve of strength has no doubt inspired children for several generations. Hooked on Custard? The next adventure unfolds in Read more

Reviews (13)

The Tale of Custard theDragon
It is wonderful poem of bravery and adventure for children.

Ending could be better
I enjoy the poetry of Ogden Nash -- he has a fun style, which is well-apparent in this book.The pictures are delightful also.I felt a little let down by the author's ending because I expected the dragon to rise above his fears. However, I used the story as an opportunity to discuss with my child how she thought the story should finish.Together we wrote in a newending line and are happy with the result. It probably turned out better with her getting involved in the story this way.

My nephew loved it
My six year old nephew loved this book. He apparently was so upset when it was inadvertently left at the airport that I had to buy another. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Dragons    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile poetry    9. Poetry    10. Poetry - Humorous    11. Social Issues - Values    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Reviews (3)

Two Great Children's Books in One
This fine children's book is actually two books; What Grandmas Do Best and What Grandpas Do Best.The illustrations are very colorful and show the grandparents and grandchildren doing all sorts of fun things together, such as playing hide-and-seek, dancing, going to the beach, and going on a picnic.When you're done reading one of the stories, simply turn the book over and begin the second one!
Fun for Adults and Children
I just love this book, and my 5 year old daughter does, too.The book is 2 books in one.If you read it one way, you read "What Grandmas Do Best".Turn it over and upside down to read "What Grandpas Do Best".The illustrations are wonderful, but the best part is that if you read the grandma book first, the grandpa book will be very, very funny.I suppose it is funny the otherway, too.It's also a lot of fun to compare the two different books.And it provides you with an opportunity to talk to the child about how spending time with Grandma is different from spending time with Grandpa.I highly recommend this book.

A Grandma's review
Very good, I know my grandchildren would like it.We just spent a few weeks with them, and did most of those things, so they would especially appreciate this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Family - Multigenerational    5. Fiction    6. Grandfathers    7. Grandmothers    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Specimens    10. Upside-down books    11. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational   

Reviews (6)

WHO WOULD NOT WANT A TRULIO PET DRAGON
MY SON LOVES BOTH OF OGDEN NASHES BOOKS..........
Get this and continue the Custard adventure
Another great book about Custard the Dragon!Have just as much fun with this book - My son loved this one!

Gotta love Nash
This is the 1961 sequel to "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" which was written in 1936.Both books are beautifully and imaginatively illustrated by Lynn Munsinger in their 1995 & 1996 publications.As with other works by Nash, the verse and illustrations vie for significance and importance.His couplets are cute with his tongue in cheek.The words and images carry a slightly archaic, old fashioned overtone that is pleasing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. American poetry    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children's poetry, American    7. Children: Grades 3-4    8. Dragons    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile poetry    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Reviews (5)

Mommies and Daddies do the same things
I love this book because it says exactly the same thing from the mommy side and the daddy side, albeit with different pictures- both daddies and mommy mend things, bake cakes, go for bike rides and do all the things kids love to do with their parents. We bought a few other mommy and daddy books, but they were so gender biased it made us cringe when we read them.

What Mommies/Daddies do Best
Two books in one showing parenting is universal. My seven-year old after reading a few times What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best can now breeze through it so much so that I feel it is more rote reading than mastering reading fluency. This is a bit too easy for him, but I liked the book for showing how Mommies and Daddies can do the same things, if they are so inclined to do so. My son learned to pronounce Mommies and Daddies very clearly by continuing to read this book and he does not sound monotone now.
This is a MUST HAVE for all Moms!!
My 3-year old LOVES this book! This is a DARLING little story of all the things Mommies can do (like bake a birthday cake, play with you in the park, hold you when you're feeling sad, etc) but in the end of the book the thing they do best is "Mommies can give you lots and lots of love!" Cute illustrations and just a sweet little story! Get one for yourself and also for a Mom! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Family - General    6. Family - Parents    7. Fathers    8. Fiction    9. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Nonreligious    10. Holidays & Festivals - Other - Non-religious    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Mothers    13. Specimens    14. Upside-down books    15. Fiction dealing with family issues    16. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General    17. Modern fiction   

Reviews (18)

Excellent Read for Mom & Sons
Me and my 2 1/2 year old boy just LOVED this book.He is very much into numbers and has been counting for a few months, so I got this book for him.It's one of the few books he sits for through the whole story.He especially loves the page for "four" ;).
excellent and fun to read again and again!
Our toddler loved this book for months-- and I never tired of reading it.The pictures are terrific, the rhyme fun and it also helps encourage counting and number sense skills.We give it a thumbs-up!

Awesome kids rhyming book
This is one of my favorite kids rhyming books. I stumbled upon this book at a local library and ended up buying it. It's a fantastic book with great pictures, reads fast at bedtime, and you don't mine rereading numerous times to your kids which they request over and over. I love to buy this book for new moms. There are deleted pages from the small board book verus the larger library book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Preschool    4. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    5. Counting    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Monsters    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Stories in rhyme    11. American English    12. Board books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Counting    14. Numbers & counting   

Subjects:  1. Alligators    2. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Costume    6. Fiction    7. Halloween    8. Health & Daily Living - General    9. Holidays & Celebrations - Halloween    10. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Nonreligious    11. Holidays & Festivals - Halloween    12. Humorous Stories    13. Juvenile Fiction    14. Animal stories    15. Body & health    16. Culture & customs    17. Fiction dealing with specific issues    18. Reptiles & amphibians   

Reviews (3)

Sally Doesn't Want To Either
This is a children's book about a little girl, a little sister who has a preconception about books and has to go to the library with her older brother.
A Fun Book!
[...] While the outcome might be predictable to you, in the eyes of a child it's probably not.
3 1/2A Mostly Unimaginative Outing
Popular author Laura Numeroff ("If You Give a Mouse a Cookie") and teams with the prolific Lynn Munsinger in this cute book about a dog who follows her brother to the library, but doesn't like to read.Henry drags his clearly unhappy sister, Beatrice to the library, where he needs to finish a paper.Beatrice refuses Henry's suggestion to read; instead, she just wants to watch him work, and she pours herself and her saccharine smile all over the increasingly frustrated Henry. Beatrice follows Henry for three straight days, until Henry has had enough. The reader may have had enough of Beatrice as well, for the humor of her unvarying, cloying smile is stale after awhile.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's Books/All Ages    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Family - Siblings    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Libraries    12. Preschool Picture Story Books    13. School & Education    14. Siblings    15. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    16. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / New Experience   

Editorial Review

What a happy, happy place the world would be if daddies always did allthe things they do best: bake you a magnificent birthday cake, give you apiggyback ride, hold you when you're feeling sad. In Laura Joffe Numeroff (Read more

Reviews (2)

A sweet book!
What a lovely book to read to my baby boy! The drawing is so cute!

A charming children's storybook
My son loves this book.It is adorable - the words and the pictures alike!We read it over and over, and it is one of the few children's books that I don't mind to hear 20 times in a row.It talks about cute things that parents "do best!"Sweet and charming! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Preschool    5. Family - Parents    6. Father and child    7. Father-child relationship    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Other, Non-Religious   

Subjects:  1. Aunts    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Family - General    5. Family - Multigenerational    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Specimens    9. Uncles    10. Upside-down books    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (3)

Fun Book
Another great book by David T.Greenburg. My grandson especially loved this book. We found the illustrations and story to be super.

Too morbid for us!
We recieved this book as a multi-pack with more science related books.This book DOES NOT TEACH anything other than fear of snakes.The author seems to have found that small voice in the back of children's heads that only nurtures their deepest fears.I'm throwing it away.It only gives my children something to fear and nothing to learn.
Snakes!
My children ages 2 1/2 and 6 years old love this book.I can't wait to get the other books by this author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Reptiles & Amphibians    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Snakes    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Reptiles & Amphibians   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Halloween    7. Monsters   

Reviews (5)

My daughter loves this book!
My daughter will be 3 in April and we discovered this book at the library while picking out books after story time.She wants to read this one every night at bedtime, so I plan to buy it for her for her birthday.I echo all the other reviews, and agree that I think it is one that should be in every child's library!Even though the situations in the book happen to "raccoon children" they are real life situations that could happen to any "human child".Great job!

Great book!
I bought this book for my nephew who is named Hunter! Can a best friend, help his friend be his best self?
As an educator of young children for over twenty-five years, I find Hunter's Best Friend at School by Laura Elliott to be one of the best books I have ever read, dealing with being true to one's self. All children want to be liked and often do things that they would not otherwise do, just to be accepted. Hunter and Stripe are such friends, yet with the help of his mother and his teacher, Hunter is able to set an example that encourages Stripe to be "his best self." This book is absolutely delightful and entertaining. The words, the illustrations, the message of being true to oneself is certainly needed in today's world. I read it to a Kindergarten class that was spellbound by the second page. The school librarian is going to order one copy for each of the primary classes at our school. My own grandsons, age five and seven, were touched by Hunter's example, with the five-year-old saying, "my eyes are getting wet from hearing that story" and the seven-year-old saying, "I have that problem with my friend." Out of the mouth of babes is a telling review of this wonderful book and I would encourage every parent and grandparent to include it in their children's library as soon as possible. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Animals - Mammals    3. Behavior    4. Best friends    5. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    7. Children: Kindergarten    8. Fiction    9. Friendship    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. School & Education    13. Social Issues - Friendship    14. Social Situations - Friendship    15. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (1)

A charming fable about trading freedom for safety
This illustrated children's story is a delightful read-aloud choice for parents or teachers, and they will enjoy and ponder the message at least as much as their young listeners.Written by an author better known for his adult mysteries, it is set in his adopted Maine and features an eccentric porcupine who agrees to rescue his own kind from highway death when they declare themselves incapable of solving the problem for themselves.When his plan turns out to have its own unwanted consequences, he accepts responsibility for trying again and, this time, succeeds.It's a satisfying story on its own.As a fable, it's a wonderful taking-off place for serious discussion of social and political issues.I have read it with great success to sophisticated eleven and twelve year olds and recommend it with great enthusiasm. Readers who enjoy this one might also check out "The Lemming Condition" by actor/author Alan Arkin ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accidents    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Porcupines    7. Prevention    8. Safety   

Editorial Review

A bike is for just one monkey to ride, right? Well, not if anothermonkey jumps on the handlebars. "Hooray, the two shouted. / We're having suchfun. / This bike is far better for two / than for one!"That is, until theyhit a bump in the road and monkeys go flying. Read more

Reviews (8)

Charming
Illustrations are warm and fun.Rhyming is done very well. It is not the sometimes stiff and unusual vocabulary you can get in childrens' books that is used just to get a rhyme.
Hilarious and fun to read
My son and I first checked this book out of the library, but he kept wanting to read it, so we bought it and it was been one of his favorites ever since.I enjoy reading it to him too.The illustrations are fantastic and the verses are light, flowing and fun to read. The rhythm of the text lures my son into a read-a-thon and we end up reading it not once, not twice but three times or more.

Fun counting book
This is a fun counting book about monkeys who break the rules about how many people can do certain things at a time.Whenever one monkey too many joins the group, it starts off fun, but inevitably ends in disaster.The book is not exactly scary, but a lot of objects get broken, so it might be an uncomfortable read for kids with anxieties about breaking things.The story is quite humorous, and it has about 500 words. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Apes & Monkeys    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Monkeys    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Stories in rhyme    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

My Favorite Gator Book
I give this book five stars because its the best book I've read. Also I like it because its funny.Although some parts were boring .There's something that I didn't like.The title didn't match the story.For people that are younger it would be a great book to listsen to.This book was funny because there were two boy gators and three girl gators that bothered each other and made up very funny jokes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alligators    2. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fairs    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Sick    10. Social Situations - Friendship   

Editorial Review

In case you weren't aware of it, being scary doesn't come naturally to every spirit and specter. Teeny tiny ghosts, especially, may find that they are haunting-impaired, due to their diminutive age and size. The Teeny Tiny Ghost is one such timid apparition, who attends Teeny Tiny School to learn about spooky stories, Halloween, and the basics of haunting. At his teeny tiny home, the Teeny Tiny Ghost tries to practice booing and whooing, howling and yeowling, but scares himself too much to continue. How will this fearful phantasm ever handle the unseen creatures with scary voices that come knocking at his door on Halloween night?Read more

Reviews (3)

Teeny Tiny Ghost, Big, Big Fun!
The clever, very funny and fun-loving illustrations in this cute Halloween book make a creative and refreshingly original story come to life. Meet the teeny, tiny ghost and his two teeny tiny black cats and join him at his school where he is trying unsuccessfully to learn the ropes of haunting. He howls and he yeowls, boos and whoo-ooes but he consistently succeeds only in scaring himself silly. He hears some suspicious sounds and sees some spooky lights and shadows on Halloween and when the teeny tiny black cats get scared he rises to the challenge, faces his own fears and lets loose with his best, bone-chilling racket to scare away the spooks. A wonderful revelation results! Join in the fun and share these adorably comic illustrations with your children this Halloween. It's sure to become a favorite.

An Unscary Halloween Story
From the title, kids will know right away that the main character isn't your typical ghost. Though it's filled with Halloween sounds and imagery, this isn't a typical Halloween book either. This tale will become a Halloween staple because kids will relate more to the timid Teeny Tiny Ghost than to overbearing monsters of the usual sort. The author and illustrator don't hold back, though. The writing and pictures are vigorous and funny.

Teny Tiny Ghost Is A Favorite
I bought this book for my 3 year old son last year during Halloween season based on the cover's artwork.It has proven to be very entertaining because of the Halloween excitement and the eye catching artwork.Nomatter what time of year, my son always comes back to this book as a truefavorite when it comes to choosing a bedtime story.The "eyefilling" illustrations along with the easy to read text never fails toentertain or keep his interest. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Ghost stories    6. Ghosts    7. Halloween    8. Holidays & Celebrations - Halloween    9. Holidays & Festivals - Halloween    10. Horror & Ghost Stories    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    13. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    14. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Halloween   

Reviews (4)

Fun for kids
My son received this as a gift...I probably wouldn't have chosen it off the shelf.But he has loved this book and laughed over it many times.(It works better when my husband reads it to him -- he's better at the silly noises than I am!)

Inspired Whimsey
I've read this book to countless kids (and adults) using different voices for each character, and it never fails to get lots of giggles and outright guffaws.This should be on everyone's shelf and ranks right up with Dr.Seuss and A.A. Milne as a classic of children's literature.

A Wonderful Children's Book!
This is a great read-aloud book for kids of all ages!I teach high school, and tell stories as an avocation (yes, I know the two are not mutually exclusive!).When I get to the part where Bismark tries notlaugh, I go into hysterics.Little kids love it, high school kids ask tohave it read again, and adults have been known to snicker a time or two. It's a good read, and an audience-pleaser.Some food for thought, too.Myfavorite line is Zachary's: "It is a tragedy to be clever but nothappy."Spinoza couldn't have said it better.I had the pleasure ofmeeting Ms. Monsell at a reading conference once.She has made the world ahappier place by creating this wonderful story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bison    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Grassland animals    8. Humor - General    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Underwear   

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - Parents    6. Fathers    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mothers    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Specimens    12. Upside-down books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Parents   

Reviews (6)

My Grandkids love this book.
What a great book for kids. I love the illustrations. They are just the cutest! I read it to my grandkids and they loved it. So did I.

Fun for kids & adults!
I bought this for my nephew but am now buying it for my husband...it is a clever, witty, and well illustrated book suitable for anyone with a wacky sense of humor.

Creepy crawly fun!
This book is just plain gross... but ALSO, it is truly funny!I get a big kick out of the fast paced jaunty way it reads out loud, and the way it makes your skin crawl as you read it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Humorous Stories    6. Insects    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Stories in rhyme    9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Family - Multigenerational    7. Fiction    8. Grandmothers    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational