Editorial Review

Not so much a book as it is three-dimensional art, Art Spiegelman's Read more

Reviews (23)

It's a dog...it's a book!?!
This book is so creative.The basic premise is that the book is not ABOUT a dog... it IS a dog.The story revolves around how he got there.It is very "hands on" and engages the reader immediately.It would be a fantastic gift for a little animal lover who isn't able to have a pet of his/her own.This is one dog who is allowed where other pets can't go and after the initial cost, there is no feeding or clean-up!What more could you want in a pet?

Open Me... I'm A Dog
Delightful book! The tactile features, coupled with the story, make this one of the most-special children's books -- that's also appropriate to give any adult dog lover or fan of Spiegelman!

People with Allergies Will Love This Dog
This is a pet dog that doesn't make you sneeze or itch. It doesn't shed or have fleas. Best of all, it doesn't bite or do its business on the carpet. Parents can gladly get this pet for children. Of course, this book would never take the place of a real thing, but it's a pleasure to read it. I can read it repeatedly (as children always want you to do) and not get tired of it. A parent can't help but get into character while reading the book aloud.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Books    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Dogs    6. Fiction    7. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    8. Specimens    9. Toy and movable books    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

If only words could describe Read more

Reviews (28)

Coffee Table Book/ Toddler RippingFun!
Pros: beautiful and fun to "read"
Color Suprises
This is the most fantasitc pop-up book!!! BUT DO NOT BUY IT from AMAZON!Every "new" copy they sent us had the same broken piece (the green square, which when pulled, a lovely green snake appears from behind).

a fun way to learn colors and animals
My 16 month old loves this book and it's one I don't mind reading over and over. Each page has a colored flap, which when lifted (or when the tab is pulled), reveals an animal of the same color. Some of the animals, like the green snake, are particularly wonderful. It is not the sturdiest toddler book, as the other reviewers have noted. My son would likely destroy it with his enthusiastic pulling if I left him alone with it, so we save it for reading together. Another sturdier pop-up book that I recommend is "Tails". We also enjoyed "The Wheels on the Bus" pop-up although our copy is currently in need of repair! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Color    5. Colors    6. Concepts - Colors    7. Juvenile literature    8. Specimens    9. Toy and movable books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Interactive Adventures   

Editorial Review

A perfect springtime accompaniment to actual bugs, Read more

Reviews (6)

Pun-derful

Great fun, even for kids who aren't "insect lovers"
This is a book of poems about insects. The poems are great; their content is funny and rhythmic. Through the poems we learn about the various insects. Some have very creative text formatting such as the inchworm; the text is shaped like a humped-up inchworm. The illustrations are very creative collages that are unique compared to most other children's books. It's great! (Ethan 5) It's Wonderful (Alissa 6)
We just love reading Insectlopedia! My 6 year old daughter andmy 5 year old son both think it is a great read.Ethan & Alissalike the poem about the Whirligig Beetles the best. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Insects, Spiders, etc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Insects    6. Insects in art    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Juvenile poetry    10. Poetry - General    11. Poetry - Humorous    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (11)

A fun counting and rhyming story
This is a fun story of a monkey who wants some bananas from a tree but has to cross a sea of crocodiles to do it. By counting the crocodiles, (and ultimately outsmarting the crocodiles) the monkey does just that.It has become a family favorite. It has increased our little's girls awareness of counting and her phonemic awareness through the rhyming words.

Interesting Things Happen in the Sillabobble Sea!
As a mother of a 3 year old daughter and an early childhood educator, this is probably my most favorite book available. Grown-ups will love it, kids love it more!!
When we borrowed this from the library, we read it several times per day, and my kids were begging to keep it when it was time to return it. Now we have to buy a copy for ourselves, plus one for a gift. The rhymes are better than clever--maybe even brilliant!With the catchy rhythm, this was easily the most fun book I've ever read with my kids.My four-year-old daughter was soon reading it to her brother, with the help of the fantastic illustrations.All in all, a very fun book that will thrill young and old! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Asia    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Concepts - Counting    7. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    8. Counting    9. Crocodiles    10. Folklore    11. Humorous Stories    12. Juvenile Nonfiction    13. Monkeys    14. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

The story of Galileo is at once inspiring and troubling. The brilliant astronomer was a celebrated scientist who was showered with honors and patronage until his greatest discovery--that the earth circled the sun rather than the other way around--proved to be too much of a threat to prevailing orthodoxy. Peter Sis, author of the wonderful children's book Read more

Reviews (19)

Would you like to swing on a star?Carry a moonbeam home in a jar?
I've reviewed a fair amount of Peter Sis books in my day on Amazon.com, but this is the first book by Sis that I've come across that has so many negative/tepid reviews.Now, before I review a book I give its Amazon.com page a once-over to get a feel for what the public at large thinks about the story.Peter Sis is one of those authors who can write extraordinarily simple books for little children (like "Komodo", "Madlenka", or "Fire Truck") then turn around and do mind-bendingly complex picture books in the same breath (like, "Tibet: Through the Red Box", and "Tree of Life")."Starry Messenger" was one of Sis' first forays into this combination of complex and simplistic together.As you can see, it wasn't wholly successful.Though still a visually eye-popping wonder and a tale that makes equal concessions to both young and old readers, the story sacrifices fact for simplification in ways that not everyone will enjoy.I believe that while this book is a necessary addition to any Galileo collection, it should certainly not be the ONLY book on that starry-eyed scientist available to your children. Beautiful and Innaccurate
This absolutely stunning book is simple, difficult and innaccurate.Sounds contradictory?It is.
Over simplified
The story of Galileo is much more complicated than just being a "heretic".In order to understand the full complications of the story, one would have to understand that the problem was not Galileo against the Bible, but Galileo against Hellenized Christianity-- Aristotle and Plato; the creeds of the church fathers, i.e. the Apologists, etc.; in other words orthodox Christianity which had come under the domination of Greek Philosophy.What Galileo was arguing against was NOT in the Bible, it was Catholic Church doctrine mixed with Greek Philosophy (the metaphysics of Aristotle and Plato) which is still prevalent in some fundamentalist Protestant sects.
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Subjects:  1. 1564-1642    2. Astronomers    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Science & Technology    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    7. Galilei, Galileo,    8. Italy    9. Juvenile literature    10. Scientists    11. Galilei, Galileo    12. Galileo    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology   

Editorial Review

"And if the moon could talk, / it would tell of evening / stealingthrough the woods / and a lizard scurrying home to supper." Kate Banks and illustrator Georg Hallensleben's lovely bedtime book spins a sleepy tale of what the moon would say if it could look down at a night-swept Earth and tell us what it sees. The book begins with a cozy inside view of a little pajama-clad girl and her stuffed white rabbit. Then we travel outside to a moon's view of the night world. Back inside, from the familiar objects on the bedside table--"a glass, a wooden boat, a starfish, too"--we move to "waves washing onto the beach, / shells, and a crab resting." Each rich,color-drenched scene complements the next--as Mama hands her child the toy rabbit, a lioness licks her cubs in a faraway den. "And if the moon could talk," the book concludes, "it would tell of a child / curled up in bed wrapped in sleep. / And it would murmur / Good night." From the creators of the beloved Read more

Reviews (19)

My Favorite Children's Book!
This is a fantastic child's book! It is gorgeously illustrated with mysterious, lush, beautiful night scenes; the text is rhythmic, soothing, subtle poetry of the highest quality. I've been reading this book to my niece for three years and she loves it still! When she was four I'd read it to her and she would get to "read" the refrain "And if the moon could talk" each time it appeared. When she was five and six she'd read it with ever-increasing ease as she learned to read; now that she's seven we alternate pages, but she still has her favorite parts she will not allow me to read--she insists on having those pages to herself. We imagine we live in the beautiful town, assigning houses to grandma, uncles, cousins. This is a book to treasure!

Maybe too well written for toddlers
I bought this book for my 2 1/2-year-old twins, but a lot of it goes over their heads. Obviously the author has talent, but she's more of a poet than a storyteller. Perhaps she should be targeting an older crowd. This book has elements suited for toddlers (big pictures, only one sentence per page) but the writing is too sophisiticated and abstract for them, and the story too disjointed. I guess it would be good for a one-year-old or younger who just enjoys hearing a parent read a peaceful book (e.g., "Eyes close. There is a drowsy hush. Darkness swells into a colorful dream. And if the moon could talk..."). But my kids prefer books with stories they can understand, and even repeat. This ain't that.

By all means, get this book!
This is my 21-month-old son's absolute favorite book. Since finding it in our library a week ago, it is the only book that he lets me read to him at bedtime. Hallensleben's lush and dreamy illustrations, along with Banks'carefully chosen text works like magic to lull our little guy into a deep, peaceful sleep. If I dare put the book down for a second or suggest another book, he gestures wildly until I return to his favorite. Hallensleben is a remarkable artist, and adults and children alike are transported into his magical world. I can't wait for this and two other Banks/Hallensleben collaborations to arrive in the mail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime    2. Bedtime & Dreams    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Moon    9. Night    10. Short Stories    11. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams   

Editorial Review

The King and Queen are most gracious hosts to a certain little boy--and any friend of his is a friend of theirs. When he brings a giraffe to tea, the King doesn't blink an eye and says, "Hello. How do you do?" and the Queen merely exclaims, "Well! Fancy meeting you!" The royal pair continue to invite the boy as their guest for tea, breakfast, lunch, dinner, apple pie, and Halloween, and each time he politely asks if he can bring a friend, waits for their assent, then brings a hippo, monkeys, an elephant, and once even a pride of lions into their elegant home. Beatrice Schenk De Regniers's gentle, repetitive, rhyming story, with the refrain "So I brought my friend," will resonate with young children, who will be pleased to see the well-behaved wild animals wreaking harmless havoc in the palace, and soothed by the unfalteringly open arms and perpetual politesse of the King and Queen. Beni Montresor's distinctive, inky, richly colored drawings earned this book a Caldecott Medal in 1965, and have won the hearts of children ever since. (Ages 3 and older) Read more

Reviews (11)

A somewhat lost classic
This was one of my favorite books as a child and my mother has fond memories of reading it to me. I recently rediscovered it as a book to read my own toddler and I have learned that most people have not heard of it. That's a shame. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is great fun. A little boy is invited to various meals by a doting king and queen and, contrary to all rules of etiquette, asks if he can bring a guest, who always turns out to be some more or less untidy zoo animal. The combination of royalty and wild animals makes this a perfect storm for my child. The text has wonderful rhymes, with lots of clever enjambment, and it reads quite musically. I hope more people discover this lost classic.

A Nice lesson in true gentility, acceptance
The king and queen invited "me" to come to their house on Sunday for tea.Thus "me" draws the child into the story right away, and he/she can easily imagine that she is the main character being entertained at the palace.The boldness of the child in inviting a friend along is also reminiscent of a child's innocence regarding social graces.The child's friends shock and awe the kind and queen, but they treat them graciously and with as much respect as their beloved child friend.The illustrations themselves are very interesting and detailed, but would be most appreciated in a larger, hardcopy version (we borrowed a 7" paperback version).My one reservation is the color background.I feel that the artwork would have been better served in black and white, and that the color actually detracts, making the illustrations look busy.Granted, this book was printed in 1964, and the expectations of quality artwork were different then. Something to keep in mind when you first pick up the book, so you don't overlook it as a mediocre, one of many in a stack. I wouldn't buy this book unless my child fell in love with it, and thus far, he hasn't requested it since I read it to him the first time.I always give a book another chance though, on another day, unless there is some glaring problem with the book.Overall, I give this book 3 stars, maybe 4.

You have to read this book to your 5 year old!
I can't even remember the age when I started reading this to my daughter, but we LOVED it!A boy is invited to various meals by the queen and asks if he can bring a friend each time.IT is to charming and well illustrated.You will love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Early learning / early learning concepts    11. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

Author and illustrator Calef Brown is a blue elephant, we're told on the back flap of the book, and we half-believe it, judging from this exuberant, unforgettable collection of 14 ultra-hip rhyming stories about everything from sleeping fruit to a funky--and we mean funky--snowman. Incomicalfolk-art paintings, bathed in truly delicious colors, we meet Ed. "Introducing Ed, / with cherries on his head. / He says, 'I like the color,' / So all his stuff is red..." One odd hamlet is described like this: "Clementown is greenish, / the people tall and leanish, / the dogs bark very loudish, / but not because they're meanish." Brown sings the praises of "Snails" as well: "...they don't make threats, / they don't eat meat, / they don't place bets, / they almost always pay their debts / and never puff on cigarettes." These poems are as nonsensical as Edward Lear's, but clearly for modern hipster kids, and, well, adults, too. (Click to see asamplespread. Illustrations © 1998 by Calef Brown.) (All ages) Read more

Reviews (34)

A great collection of short silly poems for children
This collection of fourteen silly poems with seemingly rough but appropriate illustrations is the perfect book for those looking to stealthily interest their children in poetry.All are brief, and the differing formats easily hold the interest of even very young children.In Clementown, phrases end in "ish" - green, lean, loud, mean, red, rel, rub and fool; in Polkabats (my kids' favorite), the spotted polkabats who aren't on jury duty shout "stroganoff" and drop polka-turds; and Kansas City Octopus tells the story of a man-octopus who looks good in his red corduroy multi-pocket bell-bottom pants.The illustrations fit each poem perfectly and add to its overall silliness and to a kid's overall enjoyment.
Fantastic
Truly original and delightful.My daughter (2.5 yrs old) asks for this book every night, and even after 2 months it is still a pleasure to read.Couldn't recommend it highly enough.

The Funniest Poems for the Little Readers
This is a wonderful book - for both children and adults.The poems are creative, funny, engaging and very of the moment.My toddler loves them and so do I. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Poetry - Humorous    7. Short Stories    8. Stories in rhyme    9. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title    10. Short stories & other fiction   

Editorial Review

"Somewhere in the Italian hills, a homing pigeon is released. She soars quickly and follows an old road, which (of course) leads to Rome." So begins Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Macaulay's visually festive journey that tracks the whimsical flight of a homing pigeon through the archways, over the terra-cotta rooftops, and between the columns of this most ancient and vibrant city: "Instead of traveling directly to her destination, which is standard pigeon procedure, she decides to take the scenic route." Macaulay's angle of vision pans back and forth between the pigeon's-eye view and that of a roaming cinematographer. The effect is a kaleidoscope of whirling, swooping, dizzying images that must resemble flight itself. Macaulay's intricately crosshatched pen-and-ink images of Rome--with its ancient amphitheater, Colosseum, Temple of Hercules, elaborate fountains, and bustling cafes (with a feast of crumbs for a travel-weary pigeon)--provide a dazzling display of architectural finery. We are so swept up in the homing pigeon's divergent path--marked on the black-and-white vistas by a thin red line--that we momentarily forget she has a task at talon. All is explained in the uplifting one-word message joyfully delivered by the pigeon to the sketch artist (Macaulay himself?) shown at work in the last scene of the book. Read more

Reviews (3)

Great pictures, simple story, must-have for Rome fans
This book is a trip through Roma from a pigeon's point of view.The pigeon flies around, through, over and past many of Rome's historical landmarks, and a brief section in back describes their history and significance. The perfect engagement gift!
Share David MacAuley's obviously personal portrait of Rome.It's a portrait in the most obvious sense: lovingly detailed drawings of Rome's greatest architecture captured from MacAuley's witty and often weird perspective.But, through the drawings and the wonderful conceit, you see that this little book is also a personal exploration of a city that touches the heart.

"Rome Antics" for those in love with Rome and otherwise.
This is the finest illustrated gift book for the Romaphiles that you love!!Get it now and make a gift to the one you love.It will beappreciated for years to come. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Birds    2. Art (paintingsculptureartistsarchitectureetc.)    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Homing pigeons    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. People & Places - Europe    11. Rome    12. Europe    13. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    14. Juvenile Fiction / Art & Architecture   

Reviews (3)

Seven Brave Women
A book that tells the story of a family over generations, shows strong women, and expresses an unapologetic, matter of fact opposition to war would be of interest if it were not so well done. But it is well done. Telling the stories in the voice of the author's daughter is brilliant, tying the past to the future. So enjoyable!
Reading this book to my kids made me want to find out more about my own great-great-great grandmothers!

A Celebration of Seven Generations of Strong Women!
I found this book to be simply inspirational.Hearne sets up a time line of sorts, depicting seven strong, determined women from her heritage who are rugged yet feminine and caring.Each woman differs remarkably in herinterest and education, but is portrayed as a positive and vital part ofthe family.The focus on the wars through out the lives of these womendemonstrates the integral part women played on the homefront, more oftenthan not with out the credit they deserved.This is a book that wouldspark interest in female readers who might not otherwise be curious abouttheir own heritage. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Courage    5. Family - General    6. Family - Multigenerational    7. Fiction    8. Genealogy    9. Girls & Women    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. Social Issues - Values    13. Biography & Autobiography    14. Human geography / peoples of the world    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / General    16. World history   

Editorial Review

"Ten minutes till bedtime!" Father announces from behind his newspaper.Out a picture window, his son and his son's pet hamster can see a hamster family (with kids numbered 1 to 10) approaching the house. "All aboard!" shouts the boy's prized pet, as his puzzled owner opens the door and the hamster tourists are loaded onto the special trolley. What the humans at 1 Hoppin Place don't know is that their cherished family pet has advertised on the Web (www.hamstertours.com) fora "10-Minute Bedtime Tour," and the hordes have only just begun to descend.Read more

Reviews (31)

Can you say.."Where is the......."
This book is great for little ones.We loved Good night Gorilla and this book.My daughter loves to play the "where is the.....(soccer ball, stroller, umbrella, etc.)" game.I point something out that is on the page and she looks for it.Great picture/word recognition for little ones.My daughter absolutely loves this book.Very little words, but it takes us a long time to read by playing the game mentioned above.One odd thing, the boy puts on his pj's before he takes his bath,But my little one hasn't really noticed it.

Excellent read - your toddler will love it!
I got this book for my 2.5 years old nephew. We had a great time reading it and he begged for it each day. The book does not have a lot of text, but the pictures are truly worth a thousand words. There's a lot going on in each page; which makes for a fun time discussing all the things going on. I highly recommend it.

Full of Fun
Peggy Rathman has a knack for knowing what will keep a small child interested. The very detailed drawings are full of things to find on every page (where are the hamsters numbered 1-10?). If you have other books by her you will see little drawings borrowed from those books. My 5-year-old loves it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Bedtime    3. Bedtime Stories    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Hamsters    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    12. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Miscellaneous   

Editorial Review

"Chato, a low-riding cat with six stripes, wasslinking toward a sparrow when he heard the scrape of tiny feetcoming from the yard next door." You get the idea. Chato is asly, mustachioed "cool cat" from an East Los Angelesbarrio. The tiny feet? Those belong to the new mice(Read more

Reviews (12)

Pretty Kitties, Pretty Good Book
Chato is a character in more than one Soto book. He is an urban cat who looks Hispanic and, frankly, a little sleazy (his cat friends likewise have mustaches and wear gold chains and wife beaters). When a family of ratoncitos (mice) moves into the neighborhood, Chato hatches a scheme to invite them to dinner. They will be dinner, of course.
Sleek and sophisticated
A remarkably original book. The illustrations are well wrought, and the story contains some of the most evocative I've heard in a picture book. Describing Novio Boy's collar, the book says it was, "a leather one with real gems that sparkled at night when cars passed in the street". The cats themselves are a twinge odd. Drawn with cat bodies but human eyes, teeth, and moustaches, they are just disturbing enough to keep the pictures interesting. It's a colorful book as well, full of beautiful swirling scenes and bold shapes. The use of Spanish throughout the text is seamless as well, never striking the reader as out of place or jarring. This book would read well with other stories that incorporate more than one language in their text. Or, kids could read it with other picture books that take place in Hispanic communities. Or, it could be paired with other stories where hungry preying animals fail to get a meal. A beautiful book to read aloud to groups.

Nice children's book
The book "Chato's Kitchen" is designed for the age group 4-8. It's the story of a cat, Chato, who has some culinary plans involving the harmless mouse family next door. There are quite a number of Spanish words--and this, I think, adds a rather exotic touch to the book. However, some of the English words are beyond the vocabulary of an average 8 year-old, and this may inhibit readability. The characters and the plot allow for a great deal of acting out if one reads the book aloud. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cats    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Cooking & Food    6. Cooking/Food    7. Fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Los Angeles (Calif.)    10. Mexican Americans    11. Mice    12. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    13. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Hispanic & Latino   

Editorial Review

Created by Margret Rey and her husband H.A. Rey, themischievous monkey Curious George has delighted millions ofreaders for more than 50 years with his hilarious hijinks. Afterthe birth of Curious George in 1941, six titles completed theseries, which have since been translated into 12 languages. Thiswonderful 416-page collector's edition (with all seven of theoriginal Curious George titles in one colorfully illustratedvolume) features Read more

Reviews (71)

the original and best Curious George stories!
I dimly remember reading the "George" books years ago. When I saw this collection, I couldn't resist buying it for my daughter.
Favorite for many years
We have an older version of this same book.This book was a gift to our oldest son when he was 2.13 years later, this very well read book is again our 4th sons favorite book.I'm continually amazed at how much each of our children treasured this book.A must have for any family library.

Curious George: our bedtime hero!
In the first week of August we took our two children - aged 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 - to see the movie of Curious George. Both loved it. As a matter of fact my wife and I had never before enjoyed a childrens movie as much as we did this one about Curious George.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - Apes & Monkeys    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Classics    7. Curious George (Fictitious character)    8. Fiction    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Monkeys    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

Editorial Review

"Horace P. Blumpoe was a grump. Everyone in his neighborhood thought so. They all called him Blumpoe the Grumpoe." So begins award-winning author Jean Davies Okimoto's charmingly quirky tale of a how a cat monkeys his way into the heart of an alleged curmudgeon. One November day, when Horace decides to head for Wabasha to pay his sister a visit, his car breaks down. Grumpily, he finds himself at the Anderson Hotel, a special inn with 19 resident cats, available to each guest to adopt for the length of his or her stay. Horace, of course, is not interested, and certainly not pleased; "I thought this was a hotel, not a kennel!" he shouts as he stomps off to his room. At 6:00, however, the only remaining unpicked cat (Arnold) refuses to let poor Horace go catless for a night. Arnold's delightful persistence, Horace's angry resistence, and Howie Schneider's wonderful, cartoonish illustrations will have readers laughing out loud and waiting for Horace's heart to melt along with their own. Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful
This book will appeal to readers who like to see grumpy people made nice, especially through the influence of cats.Those who've stayed at 19th century Anderson House Hotel in Wabasha, MN (where this book is set), andchosen an Anderson House cat to reside in their rooms for a night, willalso love it. I've given several copies of Blumpoe the Grumpoe away tocat-loving children, and it's a favorite; thank goodness for thereprinting!

Terrific Book for the kids!
My whole family loves this book.It is funny and entertaining.We also love the references to towns in Minnesota.Everyone will fall in love with Blumpoe and Arnold!We are very happy that this book is back in print.Welooked all over for this book (two years ago), after getting it from thelibrary. We even contacted the author but she had no extras. Now it's backin print and everyone can buy it!Wonderful!Check out her other books,too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cats    2. Children's 4-8    3. Friendship    4. Juvenile Fiction   

Reviews (2)

Charming tragedy with a happy ending
Poor Smudge is kidnapped and used by various creatures for their own selfish purposes..In each case, his eagerness to please and be part of the family finally wins him acceptance--until he can't keep up, and then heis unceremoniously abandoned.Happily, he is finally found again by hisown family, who love him for who he is. This review is by Little Bollington Primary School pupils.
This review is by Little Bollington C of E Primary School, it is Class 2's (8 and 9 year olds) thoughts and views on the book Smudge.This book is about a rat called Smudge.We are first introduced to an elderly Smudge who is as black as burnt toast.Smudge tells us a story of an adventure he had when he was young.The story Smudge follows a pattern. First of all Smudge would be taken by a creature, then taken to their home, the creatures then used Smudge for a house job. But then through the book Smudge always grew quite close to them and became part of the family.He then learnt special skills from these creatures.But there was always something that he couldn't do.The creatures left him by doing the thing he could not do, for example the birds flew away and left him.Smudge is always left on his own.Read this book and find out what happens in the end.I would recommend this book because it is funny and sad.It could be read by anyone even Mums and Dads to read to younger children.Adults would like the dry humour.It is a book that can be enjoyed for different reasons. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Animals    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Family life    6. Fiction    7. Rats    8. Non-Classifiable   

Editorial Review

When second grader Gregory Sampson wakes up one morning to discover thathe has become a giant beetle, his ensuing day is distinctlyKafka-esque, yet in a totally childlike way. For one blighted day, young hard-shelled Gregory faces an extreme version of the common outrage of the 6- to 8-year-old whose parents have ceased watching and admiring his every toddling move: No one notices him one bit. Not when his slippery beetle self falls down the stairs and he lies there wriggling all six legs in the air. Not when he waves a claw through the air at the breakfast table. Not even when he bellows across the kitchen, "Look at me. I'm a giant beetle."Read more

Reviews (6)

BeetleBoy
I think the book Beetle Boy is a book for people who like fiction books. That is true because it has a boy turning into a beetle. Also it has some humar in it too.

Beetle Boy
The book Beetle Boy by Lawrence David and Delphine Durand is about Gregory Sampson waking up as a Ground Beetle. Find out what happens in Beetle Boy.

Very Clever Kafka Adoption for Kids
This is a very clever book,which my 6 year old son loves and which I found laugh-out-loud funny myself.I bought it at holiday time afterseeing it on an Amazon recommended list for kids,and we weren'tdisappointed.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Beetles    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Metamorphosis    8. Science & Technology    9. Social Situations - General    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

David Kirk, creator of the bestselling favorites Read more

Reviews (18)

David Kirk dose it again!
David kirk writes simple & creative verse, which is easy for any child to follow. My toddler loves his books and we got Miss Spiders New Car as soon as it came out! The illustrations are eye catching and whimsical

The Chuggy Buggy is the Best
My daughter loves the line about the Chuggy Buggy and this is her favorite of the Miss Spider books.Of the three it is the one we read the most.She loves it and I have to admit it is pretty fun.

Not the strongest entry in the series
The illstrations, while vivid, are a bit obtuse and difficult to discern.The prose doesn't flow.The book simply can't stand alone the way the "counting Book" and Miss Spider's Mom, do.If your child is hooked on Miss Spider, then this will be a fun addition to your collection, but it shouldn't be your first choice. ...