Reviews (42)

THIS IS JUST A WONDERFUL BOOK
and it leaves you feeling so darned good after you read it.The main characters, Owen, a baby hippo, and Mzee, a 130 year old Aldabra tortoise, form a remarkably close bond which continues to this day (and can be followed in their caretaker's diary on the website of Laforge Ecosystems, that lost nearly 250 employees in the December 16, 2004 tsunami, and which contributed to Owen's washing up on a coral reef in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Malindi, Kenya).
Owen & Mzee
This is a wonderful story, to be enjoyed by both children and adults. The message is universal and inspirational showing that friendship has no boundries. The book is well illustrated with some incredible pictures.

Every household must have this book
I saw the book while waiting for my flight in the San Francisco airport bookstore.It is just one of those books that grabs every one of every age.A baby hippo is stranded by the huge tsunami, and is rescued and befriended by a most unusual pal. It just oozes goodness and the real life photos are marvelous.As a former elem. school teacher, I've seen many books and this is one of the must haves. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aldabra tortoise    2. Animals - General    3. Animals - Mammals    4. Animals - Reptiles & Amphibians    5. Behavior    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    7. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    8. Children: Grades 1-2    9. Curiosities & Wonders    10. Hippopotamus    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Kenya    14. Social behavior in animals    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (139)

Excellent Potty Training Book
My daughter wanted me to read this over and over again.She was amazed and eager to learn.It really helped in our potty training experience and she was easily able to not be afraid about bm's in the toilet anymore.Before the book, she was very frighted of her poop.

An entralling read
If you don't like this book, get a sense of humor. If you like it, thanks for being open minded. It's a very immature book, but it's funny and let's children know that pooping is natural and that everyone does it. Elephants poop just as humans do, but in different quantities. I had this book when I was very young and loved it just as a farce. It's a cute book, but don't hope for a plot because it's merely a summery of animals that poop.
...Because Poop Happens
If you have read any of my other reviews you will see that I am a pretty open guy. I love metaphysics and all things spiritual, but one thing that I have definitely learned while here in this world of form is that poop definitely happens.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Baby - Science    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Defecation    6. Excretory system    7. Feces    8. Health & Daily Living - Toilet Training    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Preschool Informational Books    12. Science & Nature - Anatomy & Physiology    13. Science & Technology - Anatomy & Physiology   

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (16)

Decent Companion to Dragonology
I originally bought this for my nephews, who have a fascination with dragons and such at the moment. It's definitely a result of the Harry Potter phenomenon, but the similarity ends at its "magical" quality. Its intent is the opening of minds to the hidden worlds of the imagination, and a rekindling of young peoples' interests in areas of mythology and classic literature. Supposedly the work of the last dragonmaster, the book aims to dispel the myths on dragons, recalling Hagrid's comments that they are "very misunderstood creatures". While Dragonology has lots of bells and whistles and moving parts, this is, as it says, more a handbook, and not as fun as its predecessor. It is great for stimulating the imagination of children (of all ages, apparently), but it's a slightly more involved text than Dragonology, and therefore likely to appeal to children 10+. It's artwork and some of its content appears based on The Flight of Dragons, by Peter Dickinson, upon which Discovery's Dragon's World DVD was also based. Both of these are great additions to this book, if you can get them.

The Perfect Companion to "Dragonology"
I love this book! I think it might even be more fun than "Dragonology"! The illustrations are still excellent and all the dragon lore is there, but this time, you get to apply your knowledge! The Dragonology Handbook teaches you how to be a Dragonologist through puzzles, dragon riddles, and learning how to write in Dragon runes. The book also has more information on the different dragon species and some other species that weren't described in "Dragonology". It also says where these dragons can be found and what they prey on.
Very good companion to Dragonology
This book is very clever. It expands on the topics covered in "Dragonology". There are items to pull out and there is another section on dragon writing to translate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Animals - Mythical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Curiosities & Wonders    6. Dragons    7. Fantasy - General    8. Fiction - Fantasy    9. Juvenile General And Reference Works    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Reference - General    13. Specimens    14. Toy and movable books    15. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Anthologies   

Editorial Review

Olivia would be Read more

Reviews (115)

Oh, those pictures
I bought this for my five year old, and wish I bought it when she was a little younger. Despite the simple story line, she still likes to look at it, and I hope it's a book that will help her on the way to reading.
Great Board Book
I purchased this book for my 1-year old daughter.Olivia is such a cute little character.The story is simple and my daughter enjoys this book.Recommend to anyone with a young daughter!

We've Got a Winner!!
What a nice little book for kids.No big bad wolves. No mean kids.No mean grown-ups.No one is abandoned or lost.No name-calling.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Behavior    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Fiction    6. Health & Daily Living - Daily Activities    7. Human behavior    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Pigs    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Animal stories    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (94)

WHAT A DELIGHTFUL BOOK - WOULD BE A GREAT PRESENT FOR THE DRAGON LOVER
I was truely impressed with this offering.This is a wonderful little book about just what the title indicates "Dragonology."The entire book is producted in a sort of medieval mode, with wonderful illustrations.The books if filled with maps, puzzels, drawings, anatomy lessons (dragons of course), life styles (again, dragons) types, habits, origins, lore and even riddles.The work is quite a combination of originality and pure imagination from the author.This is one of those books that might first appear to be classified as juvinal, but it is so much more.The art work alone is worth the price of the book.The text is imaginative yet quite realistic in it's presentation.As I said, I was truely impressed with this one and highly recommend it.This would make a wonderful gift for any lover of dragons, dragon lore or for that matter just a fun read.

LET YOUR IMAGINATION SORE!
If you like dragons, this is for you. Dragonology is a book for any age. It's cool that they show dragon skin and dragon dust. This book gave me more info on dragons, and I believe in dragons. I read in one night and I am always going back to it. I love dragons more, than I did, before I read the book. This book will leave you with all smiles.

Fascinating look at the "real" world of the legendary dragon
"Authored" by noted dragonologist "Dr. Ernest Drake," "Dragonology" is a short but concise "encyclopedia" for anyone interested in the winged creatures of international lore.Divided into eight chapters, covering such diverse topics as "dragons of the world," "dragon biology and physiology," and "dragon behaviour," the book is profusely illustrated and generously features such hands-on additions as "dragon dust" and pieces of "dragon skin," all designed to satisfy even the casual dragon fan.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Animals - Mythical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Curiosities & Wonders    6. Dragons    7. Juvenile General And Reference Works    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Reference - General    11. Specimens    12. Toy and movable books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (15)

Wonderful Collection!
I have been reading this book aloud to my 8yo daughter and 6yo son.Even though my son initially showed no interest when I brought the book out (robots and dinosaurs are more his thing) he has been riveted, and my animal-loving daughter has been especially interested in each story, and each picture.
This gift to our grandchildren will be special.
I've had the pleasure of reading all of the James Herriot books.The stories and wonderful illustrations in this book
outstanding book to read to small ones at bedtime
With two small boys, I think I've read or have become acquainted with much of the literature available for parents who read to their children in the evening.This setting of James Herriot's stories, with their accompanying illustrations, is top notch, head and shoulders above anything else I've seen.The stories are heartwarming but realistic enough to avoid being saccharine--animals die or get injured--and the overall message is a good one:it's our responsibility to care for God's creation, especially the animals we have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Anthologies    3. Biography    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Children: Grades 2-3    7. Domestic animals    8. England    9. Farm life    10. Herriot, James    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Pets    14. Preschool Picture Story Books    15. Yorkshire    16. Fiction anthologies & collections   

Reviews (60)

should be part of every pet-loving child's and adult's library
this book really helped me get over the loss of my beloved pet fish, Mr. Furious. Well, not "get over"- those who've loved animals know there is no "getting over" the loss of a dearly departed pet. There is only solace in the good memories we have of them. I enjoyed this lovely book. It gave a very warm and hopeful portrait of the after life. I intend to buy a copy for myself and for my young niece who recently lost her favorite kitty. Sylvia is a terrific author!

Great book for children with loss of pet
This book is great if you have children who has lost a pet or a loved one that has a hard time coping with a loss of their pet. They do a wonderful job easing the pain and explain that our pets will also be on the other side for us.The loss of our pets are similar to a loss of a person, we interact with each on a daily basis.If any of you have pets then you know each one has their own personality and are the closest thing to angels.They protect us and always have unconditional love for us. The book is full of drawing and pictures for children.

This book answers a lot of questions!
I know this book will help people who have lost pets they loved dearly.As it has helped me very much!It also eases your mind on common questions about heaven and what to expect.I read it often and have even bought one for a friend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Children's 9-12 - New Age    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Future life    7. Human-animal communication    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Social Issues - Death & Dying    11. Social Situations - Death & Dying    12. Spiritualism    13. Animals    14. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Death & Dying    15. Suicide, death & bereavement   

Reviews (12)

Wonderful for learning
Our son started "playing" with these when he was 9 months old.They are just beautiful as other reviews say and they have helped our son learn his animals.He spends endless amounts of time sorting through them, looking at them (he loves the pictures) and carrying them around the house.Now at 15 months he can pick some of the animals out the pile and bring them to you when you ask.Since he's learning both spanish and english if you ask for the horse in either language he will sort through them until he finds it and then bring it to you (very proudly I might add).He would not have learned this much about animals without these cards!Well worth the $10.

beautiful pictures
The pictures are gorgeous.The cards are large enough for little hands to handle easily and sturdy enough to resist bending.My 2.5 y/o son got around that, of course, by dropping them on the floor and prancing around on them.He loves to name the animals on the cards and does his little dance on them each time he is finished.They held up well and are only slightly bent here and there.Definitely a good investment.

Beautiful Pictures!
The cover does not do these flash cards justice.The pictures are absolutely beautiful.The cards are very sturdy & hold up well to little hands.The kids love naming the animals and are happy looking through these on their own.Only drawback - they get spread out all over.It would be great if they were on a binder ring! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Baby - Playing Cards    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Games & Activities - Questions & Answers    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Novelty    8. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's 9-12 - Animals/Pets    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Juvenile General And Reference Works    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Zoological Sciences    8. Reference - Encyclopedias    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (12)

What Do You Review With A Book Like This
This book is breathtaking, a real stand-out visually -- and at the same time grippingly educational and fun for kids. If you want to see that dawning light of curiousity and hunger for understanding in a child that's just learning that it's fun to learn, there's no better book than this one.
Wonderful as a read for science class!
I have read this selection to several classrooms.The students not only love to see the pictures, but they LOVE to guess as to the purpose of the tails and it is a great lead in for adaptation.Additionally, (as all elementary students love to do), they love to share their knowledge of the animals and share what they think.After a group read, this book has become popular with students who sometimes shy away from science but just become fasicnated with the facts and cool animals.

Won over
I had thought about buying this, but always decided not to. My son (5 years old) checked this out of the library on his own. He loves it. The cut-paper artwork is beautiful. Despite the fact-based discussion, it can be a very fun book to read. On the section about whales being able to hear sounds hundreds of miles away, my son always breaks into a whale song of his own. He also stunned his daycare teachers when they went on-line to check out his assertion that crickets had ears in their knees. So there you have it: fun, educational, beautiful! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adventure & Adventurers    2. Animals    3. Animals - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Concepts - Sense & Sensation    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Miscellanea    10. Physiology    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Science & Nature - Zoology    13. Sense organs    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (7)

Great books but be careful
My toddler eagerly opened and chewed on her new books only to find that our new set included 2 copies of the wild animals book, 1 farm book, and NO baby animals book.We ordered it directly from Amazon and with no listed phone numer or internet returns comment section, we feel we are stuck with this incomplete set.

Sturdy construction and excellent variety of textures
The other review by Lorrie M. accurately describes the different textures featured in each of the three books in the set.My son loves feeling each texture.
Touch and Feel Animals Box Set
This is a great box set for a baby's first gift of books.The photos are so charming and the tactile experience that even a nine-month-old can enjoy make these books an absolute must-have for every baby's book shelf! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Concepts - Sense & Sensation    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (5)

Great book but it's for young I spy beginners
This is a really cute book and would be perfect for a I spy beginner and a younger reader. My child is 3 1/2 years old and she loves I spy books and this is not for her. I gave it five stars because if I had purchased this last year when we were at a different level it would be fine. I will keep it and bring it out when my son is a bit older.

Very Good!
I bought this for my two year old and he loves it.He knows where all the pictures are ( he did before we left the store) an he still sits there with it in front of him for long peroids of time.I am trying to get the whole set.I don't know how many are in the set though and I was hoping that there would be some place where you could buy them in a complete set.

Perfect size for families on the go!
A smaller version of the full sized I Spy books, these books are just great. They include cropped pictures from the regular I Spy books and are printed on durable cardboard - just right for little hands!Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - Hidden Picture    2. Animals    3. Animals - General    4. Children's Baby - Games    5. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    6. Children: Babies & Toddlers    7. Juvenile literature    8. Picture puzzles    9. Puzzles   

Reviews (10)

Great Guide
I'm starting to get interested in amphibian id and was looking for a book to help as I join in on frog monitoring and other citizen science projects.So, I haven't gotten to use this book in the field yet since it's still midwinter but the book seems like just what I need.It's a typical field guide in that it has the species plates.Pictures in this section are well drawn with color variations and patterns clearly shown and also described in words.Then there are the species-specific entries where each animal is described, habitats and location maps are provided, foods are described, etc.What I especially like about this book is that in this section they also have actual photographs of the animals shown.The photos are close-up so you can see the eggs or the young of snakes for example.I especially love the section on salamanders and decided not to bother trying to get a book dedicated to salamanders just yet.This has all the info I'll need to get going on understanding and identifying these creatures.Looking forward to a trek out to the vernal pools in March and bringing this book with me.

Great for kids and their parents too!
I bought this book for my 7 year old god son.I'd seen and used other Peterson Field Guides, and I can only say they keep improving what was great to begin with.Even though my god son can't read all of the words in this guide, the wonderful color photographs with the reptile or amphibian name make it easy for him to understand.He was absolutely thrilled with this book.There are nice sections on how to capture then set up a terrarium, and to care for reptiles and amphibians in captivity. I highly recommend this for any age!

Everything a field guide should be!
This is the best field guide I've had for herps. The layout is typical; there are color plates of the species and some written commentary and advice on field herping in the front of the book, followed by species accounts and range maps. Fairly typical layout. However, the way in which subspecies were handled is new, at least to me, and incredibly practical and useful. Those subspecies that are readily distinguishable in the field are given full seperate entries and individual range maps, which is particularly nice with certain large species groups (milk and king snakes, Pitouphis, etc.)
Read more

Subjects:  1. Amphibians    2. Canada    3. Identification    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Reptiles    7. Reptiles & Amphibians    8. United States    9. Aquatic creatures    10. Nature / Reptiles & Amphibians   

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Botany    3. California    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Natural history    9. Science & Nature - Flowers & Plants    10. Social Science - General    11. Zoology   

Reviews (29)

Brings back old memories
I had this book as a child, and remembered drawing all the animals over and over again using the step by step provided by Ed.I had loved this book so much that I just bought it for my son who is 5.He has been complaining that he can't draw as well as his dad (thanks to Ed E.) and this will give him the edge up on old dad.I have told him about this book, and he has been asking about it over and over.Can't wait till he starts to outdraw his dad!

Great introduction to drawing
My kids (ages 7 and 5) have loved this book.They have learned to follow the linear instructions and are so impressed with their ability to create.We also purchased Ed Emberly's "Make a World".Both are great for young learners.

Best book for beginner artist
I bought this one years ago for my older son when he was 3. Now it is my younger son (4 years now)'s favorite book. He can just sit by the table and draw with this book for hours. The book is a very good teaching guide. It teaches you to draw animals with simple instructions--so simple that a 4 years old can draw a owl just by following this book. I am going to buy another one for my friend since she was amazed how well my sons can draw. Amazon should stock more these kind of books which are great and cheap so customers do not even bother to search for bargins else where. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Art - Drawing    3. Children's Books/All Ages    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Emberley, Ed    6. Juvenile Fine Arts    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Art / Drawing    9. Picture books   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful Book!
The beautifully written story manages to combine a ton of information about bats with a cute little story, and the illustrations are the best!My little GIRLS love this story and make me read it over and over.It reads like a story but offers information like an encyclopedia.

Bats Galore.....
"Bat is waking, upside down as usual, hanging by her toenails.Her beady eyes open.Her pixie ears twitch.She shakes her thistledown fur..."So begins Nicola Davies marvelous picture book introduction to the world of bats.Follow mother bat as she awakens at dusk, flies out into the night hunting and searching for food, then returns home at sunrise to feed her batling, and sleep again until nightfall.Ms Davies combines a simple and evocative story line with interesting scientific information, fun facts, and trivia.Find out where bats live, how they hang upside down so effortlessly, their special body features, how they navigate at night by echolocation, what they eat, how they hunt...Sarah Fox-Davies' quiet and eloquent illustrations complement the text beautifully, and bring this mysterious little creature and its habitat to life.Perfect for emerging readers, Bat Loves The Night is non-fiction at its very best, and is a fascinating and intriguing book budding scientists will want to study, pore over, and read again and again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Animals - Mammals    3. Bats    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (6)

love it
I used it to make an interactive bulletin board for my classroom.It is simple but it gets the point across.I use it with my 8th and 9th grade students, and they don't mind that it's a picture book.

Who Eats What? Food Chains and Food Webs
I found this book to be very entertaining and I feel the children's interest held to the very end of the story.

Food Chains and Food Webs
Detailed examples of food chains and food webs, but hard to follow the arrows in the illustrations in food chains.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Ecology    5. Food chains (Ecology)    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Nature - General    9. Science & Nature - Environmental Science & Eco Logy    10. Science & Nature - General    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (2)

Very educational
I have bought the Elephants issue and the Bats issue and these books,which come in magazine form, are very educational for kids.My 4 year oldloves them, and makes me read him every word in the magazine!! Highlyrecommended!!

Great education
These "books" come in magazine form. They are highlyeducational, and satisfy my 4 1\2 year old�s curiosity, while giving himfacts in a very interesting way.We have the Elephants issue, and I havelearned things I didn�t know!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Mammals    2. Bats    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile Science (General)    7. Juvenile literature    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (25)

Get Jack Hamm books
If you like to draw, you can't go wrong with Jack Hamm books.They are economically priced, and each of them is a wealth of reference and how-to-draw information.I have all four of his books I know of.In addition to this one:Drawing Scenery: landscapes and seacapes; Drawing the Head & Figure; Cartooning The Head & Figure.Be advised that the style of the drawing in these books is dated, that is a bit old-fashioned, when fashion comes in to play.But the material is great.

Timeless Advice for the Beginning Animal Artist
This is a great book for learning how to draw animals, as advertised by the no-nonsense title.A junior high school art student would probably find this book challenging, and advanced art students can still glean nuggets from this richly illustrated book.For the price, this is a tremendous value compared to glossy, full-color texts that don't cover as many different kinds of animals.This book has been around for a while, but its effectiveness has not diminished, unlike some others of the author's titles.

Slim, clear & detailed- GREAT for beginners.
Great for beginners, intermediate & up. *Maybe* not best for kids beneath 4th grade. This is an *amazing* work in detail & scope. If you thought Drawing the Head and Figure was packed with information, wait till you see this slim, detailed book(!).
Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Animals in art    3. Art    4. Art - Drawing    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    6. Drawing    7. Study & Teaching    8. Technique    9. Techniques - Drawing    10. Art techniques, equipment & materials    11. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    12. Drawing & drawings