Editorial Review

"When I was twelve years old, I knew what I wanted--to be an artist." So begins Read more

Reviews (9)

Contains many good life lessons.....
As other reviews of this book mention, this is a tribute to the artist Georgia O'Keeffe.However, it is more than this because it celebrates the virtues of individuality, following one's bliss and sharing one's vision.It also punctuates the important value of celebrating life and purusing it with openness, curiosity and passion.
A Biography of Georgia O'Keefe for Young Children
I use this book in my early elementary art classes to introduce this American artist, and to follow her style to create a landscape picture.The book is easily understood by young students (Kindergarten) and gives a good general picture of the life of the artist.Some examples of her work are pictured, but they are small.The story does a good job of conveying the independent attitude of the artist and her unusual work.

my name is georgia: A portrait by Jeanette Winter
I began to read this to my kindergarten classes.It kept their attention for the most part.I will not use it for my 3rd through 7th.I will use it for my 1st and maybe 2nd.The illustrations are very nice and it does give the little ones an idea of who OKeefe was like at their age. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1887-1986    2. Art    3. Artists    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography - Art    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    7. Children: Grades 3-4    8. Individual Artist    9. Juvenile literature    10. O'Keeffe, Georgia,    11. United States    12. Women    13. Juvenile Fiction / Art & Architecture    14. O'Keeffe, Georgia   

Editorial Review

As a child in 1950s Czechoslovakia, Caldecott Honor-winning artist Peter Sís would listen to mysterious tales of Tibet, "the roof of the world." The narrator, oddly enough, was his father--a documentary filmmaker who had been separated from his crew, caught in a blizzard, and (according to him, anyway) nursed back to health by gentle Yetis. Young Sís learned of a beautiful land of miracles and monks beset by a hostile China; of the 14th Dalai Lama, a "Boy-God-King"; and of "a magic palace with a thousand rooms--a room for every emotion and heart's desire." Hearing these accounts--some extravagant but all moving--helped the boy recover from an accident. The stories also allowed Sís's father to relate an odyssey other adults didn't seem to want to know about in cold war Czechoslovakia. "He told me, over and over again, his magical stories of Tibet, for that is where he had been. And I believed everything he said," Sís recalls. Still, after some time he too seemed to become immune, and the stories "faded to a hazy dream." With Read more

Reviews (14)

(A) Free Tibet
I once had the great good fortune of seeing Peter Sis speak before a large audience of New York City Public Librarians.Charming, blessed with an uncommon eloquence, and funny as well Sis spoke of his work over the last few decades.From this speech I learned that Sis designed the poster for the movie of "Amadeus", that he was originally from Prague, and that one of his best works was something called, "Tibet: Through the Red Box".I was intrigued, but months passed and I filed away "Tibet" into my To-Be-Read pile of picture books.It was only with my steady reading of every single Caldecott Honor (of which "Tibet" won one in 1999) that I at last came to the book itself.I expected a title that was some sort of early-reader-this-is-what-Tibet-is kind of a thing.I had apparently forgotten that this was the man who brought us that remarkable Charles Darwin biography, "Tree of Life"."Tibet: Through the Red Box" is no mere picture book.It's a personal history and unreliable memory combined into the ultimate tribute to the author's father.
Beautiful Book
I first encountered this book in my elementary school library and have since looked it up again. At the time it struck me as magical and wonderfully illustrated, and now (years later) I can appreciate its historical signifigance as well as its obvious visual appeal

A book for my children and my children's children
My children are mostly grown; and today, when we remember growing up "together", we sometimes talk about books that they (we) loved when they were young. This is one such book, published just in time to share with my youngest, who was ten at the time.The story is mysterious and complex and involves simple spiritual discoveries made by the artist's father when he was lost in Tibet. The rich, delicate artwork and thoughtful reflections are layered and you can return to the book over and over and find new ideas, beautiful images, magical details . This book will feed the spirit of a thoughtful child and remain with them as they grow. My daughter and I treasure this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Children's 9-12 - History - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Description    6. Description And Travel    7. General    8. History - Asia    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Tibet (China)    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Family / Multigenerational   

Editorial Review

At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey. Another girl might have been cowed by this affliction, but not feisty Ella: "Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally." When her beloved mother dies, leaving her in the care of a mostly absent and avaricious father, and later, a loathsome stepmother and two treacherous stepsisters, Ella's life and well-being seem in grave peril. But her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery, trying to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach, a glass slipper, and a happily ever after, but this is the most remarkable, delightful, and profound version of Cinderella you've ever read.Read more

Reviews (1058)

My Favorite Book

Almost enchanting
While this was definitely a fun and charming book to read, and one I'd recommend to friends or discerning preteens, I am not sure I would give it to a young child.Despite being clever and inventive, I was somewhat upset at the speciesm and stereotypes present here.Humanoid characters are mostly presented as "good," but characters who are different from humans are usually shown as "bad" or soulless, unworthy of consideration or respect.Natural beauty is always "good," but ugliness is always tied to evil.For instance, when the main character thinks of why she shouldn't listen to the ogres' presuasive speeches when they waylay her on the road, the only substantive reason she presents is that they have blood under the fingernails--her other (and in fact, primary) "reasons" have to do with the fact that they are ugly, hairy, etc.The ogres are likewise presented as unquestionably unsympathetic and "Other" due to the sole fact that they eat humans--and yet neither Ella, nor anyone else, ever thinks to question how non-human animals are treated by the human denizens of her kingdom.Ella tells the ogres, "I am not an IT!" but she enjoys going to see caged animals at the castle, and views non-human characters almost like circus curiosities.Centaurs, being not fully humanoid, are described solely in animal terms, and are presented as "dumb" (both in terms of intelligence and being unable to speak), with empty eyes and without personalities, souls, or feelings.
Ella Enchanted
"That fool of a fairy did not intend to lay a curse on me." Ella Enchanted written by Gail Carson Levine is a book filled with magical edventure, this fantasy book its what you've been looking for! The main characters are Ella, Char, Hattie, Olive, and Mandy. Ella is cursed with the gift of obedience. She must do every thing people command her to do. Ella has tried many times to break the curse but only the person who did the cures can take it. Her father is a merchant. He is almost never home which leaves her alone with her stepmother and her stepsisters who are always ordering her around. It reminds me of Cinderella because their stepmothers are always making them do stuff for them. If you liked Cinderella you'll love Ella Enchanted!
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    6. Fantasy    7. Fantasy fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Juvenile Fiction / Movie or Television Tie-In    11. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (10)

Helprin delivers an elegant masterpiece
In "Veil" Mark Helprin and Chris Van Allsburgh offer up a mythictale which, while dark, will disturb and delight readers of all ages(though the elegant, sometimes labrynthine prose style will probably appealmore to older, more sophisticated readers). This book (as well as itspredecessor, "A City In Winter,") is no doubt destined to becomea classic, both to fans of fantasy and of children's literature for itsmoving story and its religious/philosophical themes. extremely enjoyable triumph of the human spirit
having listened to this book on audio cassette i have nothing but good things to say for the narrator and writer.I loved this story and havelistened to it more than once. I can only hope the author will do us thehonor of continuing this trilogy. Beauty and Ugly Truth as well
A simply incredible book of hard-to-find wonder.Unlike some of the others, my husband and I liked the Tookyshiem parts best.The queen's speech against them was a classic. At least that's my opinion. A gem of a book.They should reprint the prequels! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fantasy fiction    4. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she's knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she's a super-nerd and the teacher's pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda's world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there's the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Mrs. ("The") Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.Read more

Reviews (345)

Highly recommended
I'm a 34 year old who occasionally needs to read a children's book for enjoyment and to remind myself that I'm not necessarily the slow reader I think I am. A Very Dear Story
I'm 26 years old, and this story is still dear to my heart. I read it every now and then, and it makes me feel so good inside. Matilda is such a sweet child and I adore reading her story.

Use Caution with Young Children
My son loves Roald Dahl books and I know that some of the content is inappropriate for a 6 year old but he seems to really connect with Roald Dahl's writing.He read Matilda tonight before going to bed and around 10:00pm came into the living room balling his eyes out.He couldn't understand how Matilda would want to leave her parents or why her parents would not even look back as they were leaving forever.It took over an hour to console our child and I regret not reading the book myself first.I understand that great books do exactly what Matilda did to my child but use caution with younger kids, I only wish someone would have posted a review similar to mine and I would have never bought Matilda for my son.While I'm here, he read Holes and was very upset by the child abuse portrayed in that book as well, again, just a warning. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Parent and child    10. School & Education    11. Schools    12. Teachers    13. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Editorial Review

Anyone who has ever read Read more

Reviews (16)

Wonderful assortment of Dahl's childrens work
This is a beautiful book full of colorful illustrations, which is always a major plus, most of which are by Quentin Blake. This has some of Roald Dahl's poetry (such as his hilarious fairy tale retellings), short stories, excerpts from his children's novels, recipes, letters from fans, and other nice little tidbits, like a sheet Dahl filled out about his birthday, favorite color, food, etc. I think this book is well worth the money, because I got this a few years ago and haven't grown out of it since!

A superb, fantastic, and wonderful book
This book, like all other books of Rohld Dahl, is detailed, humorous, and just plain good. I spent 9 hours just sitting in a chair, reading this book, defanatly another fanatic book of Rolhd Dahl. I loved it. WOW!

What I liked and didn't like about the Dahl Treasury
I am nine and a half years old.I liked the variety of stories and poems, but I was frustrated at first because I thought I would be reading entire stories.Instead, I found that the Treasury included only chapters of some stories.Short stories, like the Enormous Crocodile, were entirely included.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Anthologies    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children's literature, English    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Collections    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Literature    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

"If you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole every day in the hot sun,it will turn him into a good boy." Such is the reigning philosophy at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility where there is no lake, and there are no happy campers. In place of what used to be "the largest lake in Texas" is now a dry, flat, sunburned wasteland, pocked with countless identical holes dug by boys improving their character. Stanley Yelnats, of palindromic name and ill-fated pedigree, has landed at Camp Green Lake because it seemed a better option than jail. No matter that his conviction was all a case of mistaken identity, the Yelnats family has become accustomed to a long history of bad luck, thanks to their "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!" Despite his innocence, Stanley is quickly enmeshed in the Camp Green Lake routine: rising before dawn to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet in diameter; learning how to get along with the Read more

Reviews (3144)

Holes
This book is one of those books, that when you start reading it you don't want to put it down. First things first, the title of the book is Holes and the author just happens to be Louis Sachar. He is an amazing author. He has another book that is new, that also goes to the book Holes. It is called Small Steps. Let me tell you something, there are a lot of characters. We have Stanley Yelnats and he is the main character. He is walking home from school and gets hit in the head by these shoes and the cops come. He ends up going to Camp Green Lake to dig holes for his punishment. When he gets there he meets a whole bunch of people. The people he meets are Zero, Armpit, X-Ray, and Zig Zag. One person he does not like is Mr. Sir. That is how it all got started for Stanley. I really like this book, it is a terrific story. My favorite part is when Stanley steals the water truck and crashes into a hole. It is a wonderful book so I think it is appropriate for any age to read this book. This book is fiction but it could be nonfiction. Compared to other books this one is one of my favorites. It also has a lot of rewards such as the Newbery Award, the Rebecca Caudill Award, and last but not least the National Book Award. On a scale from one to ten I definitely rate this a ten.

NOT just for kids!
When my daughter's 5th grade teacher sent her home with this book, I picked it up FOR A SECONDto be sure it was "appropriate." The next thing I knew, it was 2 a.m., and I was entranced.This is a fantastic, many-layered book that will enthrall anyone who loves a good story, great writing, and magical story telling. Much better than the (really good) movie.

start digging...the truth....
thers a boy named stanley yelnats and he has bad luck.all throught out his family and he gets took to camp green lake.and there he meets a boy name zero and together they helped each other.they found out the truth about why they got to dig wholes not to build charachter but for to look for te gold that the deans great,great,great aunt left.but at the end stanly and zeron find it.and come to find out it was meant to give to stanley.so it got alll the boys out and they are doin community service work.and the yelnats live happly ever after with no bad luck. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buried treasure    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Friendship    6. Homeless persons    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile delinquency    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Social Issues - General    11. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Passed on from babysitters to their young charges, from big sisters to little brothers, and from parents to children, Read more

Reviews (177)

tales of a fourth grade nothing
i thought that this book was really funny it made me laugh it was about peterliving in an apartment with his mom and baby brother fudge and this girl that is in his class room lives in the same apartment and he thinks that she is really annoying an she watches fudge when he is on the playground...... you'll see when you read it if you do!!!!!

A Pretty Good Read
This book is highly entertaining. I am a HUGE fan of Judy Blume; she has written some of my favorite books. While this was a good book, I would have to say that I prefer Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great and Superfudge. This was still highly enjoyable and had a few laugh-out-loud funny parts. And who cares if it is a little unrealistic? What's wrong with a silly read every once in awhile? So anyway, I give it 4 stars.
you'll laugh till you cant no more!
Hi well to start.... THIS IS SUCH A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ever since the first chapter I couldn't stop laughing it's that good. I feel sory for Peter Hatcher who constantly has to deal with the never ending trouble of his little brother Fudge. Fudge can't seem to stop buging Peter. From ruining his homework to eating his turtle Fudge is an accadent waiting to happen! This book can olso get a message to an only child who wants a sibling that it's not so much fun to have one.anyway it's such a great book so get it hope this was helpful lol Brooke. (now it's Alex) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Family - Siblings    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction   

Editorial Review

For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public--well, five members of the public to be exact. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka chocolate bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr. Wonka himself. For young Charlie Bucket, this a dream come true. And, when he finds a dollar bill in the street, he can't help but buy two Wonka's Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delights--even though his impoverished family could certainly use the extra dollar for food. But as Charlie unwraps the second chocolate bar, he sees the glimmer of gold just under the wrapper! The very next day, Charlie, along with his unworthy fellow winners Mike Teavee, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Augustus Gloop, steps through the factory gates to discover whether or not the rumors surrounding the Chocolate Factory and its mysterious owner are true. What they find is that the gossip can't compare to the extraordinary truth, and for Charlie, life will never be the same again. Read more

Reviews (413)

SCRUMDIDLEUMPTIOUS!
The mysterious candy maker ''Willy Wonka'' is hiding five golden tickets in his famous ''Wonka Bars''. The children lucky enough to findthese tickets will be taken on a tour (hosted by Mr. Wonka himself) of the enormous Wonka factory. The world is searching frantically for the tickets, and the first person to find one is ''Augustus Gloop'' a greedy German boy is addicted to chocolate. The second ticket finder is ''Veruca Salt'' a spoiled little girl who quite literally gets everything she asks for, no matter how absurd her request is. The person who discovers the third ticket is ''Mike Teave'' an irritable boy addicted to TV. ''Be quiet'' he tells whoever is foolish enough to ask him a question while his show is on ''THIS is the life''. ''Violet Beauragrde'', a dimwitted gum chewing girl finds the fourth ticket, (she had to give up gum-chewing for a while so she could switch to chocolate. And the title character ''Charlie Bucket'' finds the fifth and final golden ticket which was quite a miracle, considering how poor his family was and how little money they had to spend on luxuries such as candy. This motely crew of children are allowed to discover the wonders of Mr. Wonka's factory.
It's about just desserts and not just about desserts
Reading a novel after having seen a cinematic adaptation is always a challenge. One of the deepest joys of reading---relying on one's imagination to create the characters, their voices, the locales, etc.---is preempted and nullified by the choices made by directors, producers, casting agents, and set designers. Thankfully, the best books which have been adapted for the screen are complex and spacious enough that they allow some free play in spite of this imaginative preemption, and such is the case with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. THE CHOCOLATEY BOOK EVER!!!
*FLASHING LIGHTS*
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Behavior    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Human behavior    8. Humorous Stories    9. Humorous fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Editorial Review

There are many words that could be used to describe Daniel Pinkwater's books. Wacky comes to mind. Outrageous. Lively. Real. Unreal. Comic genius Jules Feiffer, in his foreword to Read more

Reviews (59)

the last Guru rocks!
This is an amazing, funny, incredibly random book with five comical masterpeices. Though I agree with the other reveiwers that alan medelsohn, boy from Mars is very good, my personel favorite is the last Guru. the idea of a self-made kid millionare is VERY intertaning. These books are, as I said earlier, random, and A Young Adult Novel is possibly the most random of them all. an example; the Dada's(the main character) beleive dishwashers should rule the world. Weird, isn't it? Any way, no matter wich story you read first, you'll laugh and have a great time reading it.

A great read. Again, again, again, and again.
The five novels in this book are genius. Alan Mendelson, boy from mars, takes youn through a boy going through being the new kid, goofing off with another weirdo, the wacky Klugarsh Mind Control, and... well I just can't give away the rest! I have to say i have a soft spot for The Last Guru, its so just... cool what happens to the boy :). This is an EXELLENT book for anyone to buy, I've read it so many times i tore off both covers and three pages. A great book to love and read again, again, again, and again.

-[beyond a title]-
I cannot think of one word, or two, or three or even more to describe this book. I am not even going to try. The only problem I have is not with the book itself, but with some of the reviews.. Everyone looks upon Alan Mendelson, Boy from Mars as Pinkwater's masterpiece when the true gem (in my opinion) is in the back of the book! Yes folks.. Young Adult Novel by Daniel Pinkwater is quite possibly my favourite book. Ever. It is insanely random (Horace Gerstenblut n'existe pas!!!) (also, Kevin Shapiro is the, well, I won't ruin that card for you, partially 'cause I can't remember..). But anyway, all the contained novels are pure comic genius, funny to all (I loved them when I was eleven or so, but they seem almost better to people in high school; my aunt loves Pinkwater and I read Young Adult Novel to my mum and she seemed to enjoy it), so I suggest you read this book IMMEDIATELY!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children's stories, American    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Humorous Stories    5. Humorous fiction    6. Humorous stories, American    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Social Issues - General    9. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (4)

Like seeing familiar animals through a kaleidoscope!
This book is worth it for the "Bumble Bee" poem on page 6 alone but the end page art is also incredible.The poets are very eclectic ranging from Margaret Wise Brown of "Goodnight Moon" fame to Ted Hughes and D.H. Lawrence! This is a wonderful book for all ages.

Pictures and Words form a Lyrical Feast
Jack Prelutsky continues to prove that he cannot be pigeon-holed into the role of simply a poet.In his role as editor of yet another poetry anthology with the publication of The Beauty of the Beast, Prelutsky hasonce again chosen poems that fit with and enhance the book's overall theme. Children will be delighted with the variety of poetic genres exhibitedhere--from the sublime to the hillarious.Meilo So's pictures form acharming backdrop to these poems, and each section of the book features abeautifully lyric haiku written by Prelutsky.This book is truly a feastfor any poetry lover and would enhance anyone's personal or classroomlibrary.

Wonderful pictures and poems!
Hi my name is Roxanne!I am 9 years old! I recived it from my aunt Barbra. I loved it so much that I went to a bookstore called,"The Frugal Frigate". It's the best! I bought the book for my teacher!She loved it too! She started telling all the teachers and everybody! Then they started buing,"The Beauty Of The Beast!" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Poetry / Plays    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children's poetry    6. Children: Grades 3-4    7. Collections    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile Poetry    10. Poetry    11. Poetry - General    12. English literature: poetry texts & anthologies    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Editorial Review

Widely respected for his stunningly astute observations of dogs (more specifically, of the majestic Weimaraner), William Wegman once again dazzles with Read more

Reviews (16)

Adorable Calendar!!
I am a huge Weimaraner fan, and so when I saw this I was so excited.The puppies in the calendar are just so cute!The pictures are great, with two pictures per month.William Wegman is an incredible photographer!I have seen other pictures of his, and the ones in this calander are fantastic.

Always good for a giggle!
As always, the William Wegman Puppies Calendar is adorable!If you love Weimaraner puppies - this calendar is a must!

Wegman and Weimerainer Fans
Have enjoyed Wegman's photography for 15 years.Loved Man Ray shots, loved Fay Ray shots, have followed Batty, Chundo, and the rest of the pack, including human boy Atlas. I was afraid the puppies calendars were going to be too cute, but they are not.Just sweet and absurd and beautifully strange. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Children's 4-8 - Animals/Pets    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Dogs    6. Infancy    7. Juvenile literature    8. Photography    9. Photography of dogs    10. Weimaraner (Dog breed)    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Dogs    12. Photography & Photographs   

Editorial Review

Feeling bored with your day-to-day environment? A journey through a tropical rain forest could be the perfect "pick-me-up." And thanks to

Reviews (5)

Jungle (DK Eyewitness Books)
Beautiful Book!!!My daughter is going to be SO surprised at Christmas!!

OH JUST GREAT
JUNGLES/RAINFORESTS ARE MY FAVOURITE ANIMALS AND PLANTS
Just right for an eight-year old inquisitive boy
This book was exactly right for an eight year old boy who is VERY interested in rainforests.In fact, there is even a large picture of a bluc and yellow macaw on one page, and that is (at least at the time he got the gift)his FAVORITE rain forest animal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Nature / Guide Books    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile literature    5. Life Sciences - Ecology    6. Rain forest ecology    7. Rain forests    8. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Editorial Review

Like the Oklahoma dust bowl from which she came, 14-year-old narrator Billie Jo writes in sparse, free-floating verse. In this compelling, immediate journal, Billie Jo reveals the grim domestic realities of living during the years of constant dust storms: That hopes--like the crops--blow away in the night like skittering tumbleweeds. That trucks, tractors, even Billie Jo's beloved piano, can suddenly be buried beneath drifts of dust. Perhaps swallowing all that grit is what gives Billie Jo--our strong, endearing, rough-cut heroine--the stoic courage to face the death of her mother after a hideous accident that also leaves her piano-playing hands in pain and permanently scarred. Read more

Reviews (759)

Be careful with this book
My daughter was allowed to borrow this book from her school library when she was 7 because she tested high on her SRI. She was sitting on the couch reading it with tears welling up in her eyes. I read the book, and it is a beautifully-written, powerful piece, BUT be careful. If your child is not ready for this emotionally, DO NOT allow her/him to read it. The baby and mom die horribly, the father withers away and the girl is racked with guilt and blame. It's not something you give lightly to a child of any age.

A Mon avis...
Though this book is well written and has a creative style I absolutely despised the story. The reason I dislike this book has nothing to do with it being "very sad" as some other reviewers have commented. Instead I dislike the book because the story is lacking and I do not think the author does a good job of creating empathy towards the characters. Usually when a reading a "sad" book I have sympathy towards the characters. In this book there was none. Also I felt the character development was lacking. I don't reccomend this book if you are looking for a good story I do reccomend it though if you are interested in learning about free verse or seeing how the author shaped the story.

Poetry
This book is AWESOME! I believe that it is simply amazing how this authour was able to portray so eloquently the joys and hardships of Billie Jo during the Dust Bowl, especially when writing it all in poetry. This a must-read for anyone really, even those who are 10, like me. I loved it because of the above reason, and, because Billie Jo is so truthful and pure about here feelings in this book, and you don't see a lot of that nowdays. My advise is to READ IT!!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1929    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Classics    6. Depressions    7. Dust storms    8. Farm life    9. Fiction    10. Historical - United States - 20th Century    11. Oklahoma    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Virginia Hamilton, who previously won a Newbery Medal and a MacArthur Foundation grant, gives us 17 pugnacious and heroic female characters in a collection of tales that demonstrates the breadth of African-American cultural tradition. The characters in Read more

Reviews (14)

Not good for young girls
After reading the reviews, I rushed and bought the book. Now I'm planning to sell my copy, two days later. The book's content was inappropriate for my girls (4 and 7)
A beautiful compilation of African American folklore!
Note: This review refers to the book "Her Stories" and NOT "Second Cousins," though for some reason reviews of both books appear on both product pages.
A wonderful collection for any girl OR boy
Here is another fantastic anthology from Virginia Hamilton, the award-winning author of "House of Dies Drear" and "The People Could Fly". This volume, also featuring the wonderful illustrations of Leo & Diane Dillon, is an eye-opener for those only familiar with European folktales. Read more

Subjects:  1. African American women    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Black American    5. Folklore   

Editorial Review

Young Robert's dreams have taken a decided turn for the weird. Instead of falling down holes and such, he's visiting a bizarre magical land of number tricks with the number devil as his host. Starting at one and adding zero and all the rest of the numbers, Robert and the number devil use giant furry calculators, piles of coconuts, and endlessly scrolling paper to introduce basic concepts of numeracy, from interesting number sequences to exponents to matrices. Author Hans Magnus Enzensberger's dry humor and sense of wonder will keep you and your kids entranced while you learn (shhh!) mathematical principles. Who could resist the little red guy who calls prime numbers "prima donnas," irrational numbers "unreasonable," and roots "rutabagas"? Not that the number devil is without his devilish qualities.He loses his temper when Robert looks for the easy way out of a number puzzle or dismisses math as boring and useless. "What do you expect?" he asks. "I'm the number devil, not Santa Claus." (Ages 10 to adult) Read more

Reviews (59)

One of the best children's books ever
This is without question one of the best children's books with a mathematical theme ever written. It is witty, charming and fun for children and actually teaches them some mathematics along the way. Not just the simple math of one and one is two; very complex ideas such as infinity, Fibonacci numbers, and Pascal's triangle are described in ways that elementary school children can understand. I couldn't put it down as I read through and marveled at the ability of the author to explain these mathematical concepts.
Wonderful story
This is a great book for everyone.My son 7, who is very interested in math loved it.The only drawback is the use of words like rutabaga instead of square root, unreasonable numbers instead of irrational munbers etc.If your child can live with that, this is a great learning tool.The dreams are cute fantasies.A nice way to incorporate math into a fictional book.I would recommend it for about 4th -6th grade, or younger if your child is particularily interested in math.

Awesome [and educational] book!
When I first got this I thought was going to be very boring because it's about math. But once I started reading it I couldn't get my eyes off of it! It teaches different tricks to work out math problems in a fun way. If you or your kids are struggling in some areas in math as well as trying to find an entertaining book to read this is the perfect book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    5. Dreams    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Mathematics    9. Numbers    10. Numbers, Natural    11. Science & Technology - Mathematics    12. Mathematics / General