Editorial Review

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Reviews (68)

ZZZzzzz.....
This beloved and bestselling book from Audrey and Don Wood has been delighting children--and sending them off to bed with laughter and sweet dreams-for years. The infectious cumulative rhyme of The Napping House has made this book a classic. Now here is the new sturdy edition just right for tiny hands, making them a must for every family's board book collection.

Repeat Book
I am not a fan of books that repeat themselves, but this one is adorable. The pictures are so good and the rhymes so cute that it does not even phase me to repeat the lines. It is the perfect length for a bedtime story. Looking forward to reading it for years!

Great repetition; fun story
My son enjoys this book predominantly because of repetition. It is one that is in high rotation, but not the most favorite. I do think it is harder for him to follow as the pictures are not very bright/distinct.I do recommend this book to other parents. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Fleas    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Sleep    9. Board books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (31)

Upside-Down Silliness!
"Silly Sally went to town, walking backwards, upside down." On her way, she meets a pig, dog, loon, and sheep. They dance, play leapfrog, sing, and fall asleep. Sally's friend, Neddy Buttercup has tickles in mind!
My 2 year old loves this book!
This book is great!My daughter loves it for it's silliness, but also because she can read along with me.Right up there with Down by the Bay, The Big Red Barn, all those other great ryhming kids books!

Very fun to read!
My mother bought this for my 15 month old at Christmas and he loves it.I really like it because it's funny to read.Just saying Neddy Buttercup makes me smile LOL. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Humorous Stories    4. Humorous fiction    5. Stories in rhyme    6. Board books    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (38)

Simply one of the best books out there
My now 17 year old daughter introduced this book to me when she was just six.She came home repeating to me as much of the text as she could recall from having heard the book at storytime at school.She was so enamored by the story (being a huge tub-lover herself) that I had to go to a bookstore & find the book for her.I've loved it since.Now I have two more toddlers who are loving the Woods' books every bit at much.We recently discovered Piggies, which we read (obviously) at bedtime.Sure, while the text doesn't always rhyme perfectly & things don't always add up (I was always taught piggies are your toes, not your fingers) my kids don't care about that. They love the illustrations and the words of this book & their others, and I do too!

My kids LOVE this book!
While the illustrations are simply luscious, with extraordinary detail and humor, the text is simple enough that my 5-year-old "reader" can read it to her younger brother.They also love us to read it to them, and we pore over the illustrations to see what hidden treasures they can find.My children especially like the ending (they cheer!), when the young page thinks of the simple, common-sense solution that all of the grown-ups, with their ruses as elaborate as their clothes, could not.

Great classic children's book
A simple story becomes fantastical and enthralling with the amazingillustrations that immediately captured by neice's attention and kept it.Fun and memorable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baths    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. Kings, queens, rulers, etc    7. Kings, queens, rulers, etc.    8. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Alphabet    3. Children's Baby - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Concepts - Alphabet    7. Fiction    8. Fire engines    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Rescues    11. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Alphabet   

Reviews (67)

Where, or where, is the big hungry bear?
This adorable book has been a favorite of my son (now 14 months) for about 3 months now. I also enjoy the clever book, with its beautiful illustrations, and cute story about a mouse who is convinced to share a luscious strawberry...even though the big, hungry bear never appears! Bound to be a favorite in your household.My son just loves turning the pages.

So far , LOVE all Wood/Wood books!
This is a short but very clever story!On the back of my hardcover copy it states..."The little mouse will do anything to save his strawberry from the big, hungry bear.The bear holds all the cards, but who is playing the fox's role?"There isn't any mention of a fox in this story, but you as the reader talk this little mouse into sharing his strawberry with you, so that the big hungry bear doesn't get it!That makes us the fox, and my child thinks THAT is really funny!Also funny is the mouse trying to hide the strawberry in dirt with a mouse sized shovel, namely a spoon!He guards the strawberry with chains and tacks.He disguises it with glasses, a large nose and a mustache and then sits it down to join him for tea!However you being the clever fox you are, talk him into cutting it in half and sharing it with you.He happily eats his half by candlelight using the top of the strawberry as a garnish!The details in the illustrations are beautiful as Don Wood strikes another home run.I love that Audrey Wood keeps the story simple, so that I am not droning on and on. My 20 month old does better with shorter reads!

A classic
I remeber this book from when I was a child. I just rediscovered it here on Amazon and boy did the memories come flooding back of my mother reading it too me over and over again each night before I went to bed.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Mice    9. Strawberries    10. Board books    11. Picture books   

Reviews (23)

Heckedy Peg
Our whole family enjoys this book.Audrey Wood is one of our favorite authors.All of her books are a delight to read. I meant to select 5 stars, and I can't change it now!

Heckedy Peg a Family Favorite
My daughters, ages 4 and 2, have requested this book every night since I bought it 3 weeks ago.They even take it down from the bookshelf themselves during the day to look at the beautiful illustrations.The story is wonderfully written, and my daughters love trying to remember who gets turned into what food.A great buy for our family.

Just a great story
I love this story, it is just a classic. Great for any child in grade school. The pictures, however, are probably the best part. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - American    5. Fairy tales    6. Fiction    7. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    8. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    9. Witches    10. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Halloween   

Reviews (19)

Pigtail wagging cute
We have two copies of this book, one we've had for 14 years now and we absolutely love this book!My children wanted this book read every night at bedtime for years, especially since at the end of the story we'd use our little piggies to "skip down their tummies and dance on their toes" just before their kiss goodnight.This short story is just delightful.The illustrations are wonderful and every time we'd read it we'd discover something new like, how the left hand smart piggy always has an item in his hand on one page that he'll use on the next page.Our original book has been taped repeatedly and my 16 yr old who got the book as a birthday gift when he was 2 still doesn't want to get rid of the book!It's like an old teddy bear.

Available in lap-sized board book also!
What can you add to such glowing reviews?I'd just like to share that you can now purchase this book in a lap-sized board book format.That's wonderful, as many people have pointed out that the detailed illustrations are better when viewed in the larger format.For those of us who want our babies and toddlers to enjoy unrestricted access to their books without cringing at the thought of the pages being ripped, the lap-size is the perfect solution!I'm finding more and more of these available now, including "The Napping House" and the bedtime favorite "Time For Bed."

"Piggies" a hit with my toddler and preschoolers
Wonderfully illustrated.Depictions of the piggies range from sweet to outrageous.Especially cute are the true-to-life drawings of a little child's fingers and toes.Cute book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Bedtime    3. Bedtime & Dreams    4. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    5. Children: Babies & Toddlers    6. Fiction    7. Games    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Pigs    11. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (27)

My [...] son loves it!
My son cannot get enough of this book!We first borrowed it from the library (three consecutive times) and then eventually had to purchase it because he wanted to read it all of the time (I thought other kids should have the opportunity to check it out of the library!).It has really taught him his ABCs in a fun way, and now he has the story practically memorized.Although I like the book I have to admit that I'm a bit burnt out on it because my son wants to read it at least once a day (it was four times a day when we first received it)!!

A Great Book to Add to Your Library
I borrowed this book from the public library and enjoyed it so much I had to buy it.It is great for working on the letters of the alphabet with younger children.They enjoy looking for the missing dot, which is hiding on every page.The illustrations are very vibrant.The children I read this story to enjoyed the mystery.

My 5 year old loves this book
Alphabet Adventure is perfect for a child in kindergarten who is really concentrating on learning his abc's. This is a very cute story about how the letters help eachother out. My son likes to read this book over and over and can almost read it back to us now at the end of his first year of school. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Concepts - Alphabet    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction   

Editorial Review

"I'm as quick as a cricket, I'm as slow as a snail. I'm as small as an ant, I'm as large as a whale." Parents and teachers choose this big square book for the message of self-confidence. Toddlers love it for the singsong phrases and Don Wood's large, silly, endearing illustrations, which feature a boy mimicking different kinds of animals. At one point, he is pictured sipping tea formally with a fancy poodle ("I'm as tame as a poodle") and on the very next page he is swinging through trees ("I'm as wild as a chimp"). Whether brave or shy, strong or weak, in the end the young boy celebrates all different, apparently contradictory parts of himself. With a confident grin, he lifts his arms up and declares, "Put it all together and you've got ME!" (Baby to age 6) ... Read more

Reviews (21)

great book
This was the book that I grew up with and learned to read by.It's a great book for children because of the repetitions and cute illustrations.Children who can't even read can look at the pictures and recite the book for you.A definate must.

Big pictures, easy to understand
I love this book. My boys love this book. We read it on a daily basis multiple times. My 3 year old can practically read it to his little brother. I actually went to a short literacy class on books for children and they read this one as an example of a good selection. It is very simple with large pictures, but is great for introducing comparisons and adjectives. ("I'm as quick as a cricket") It's simplicity is appealing yet it also uses words that are a little less common in a preschooler's vocabulary. All around one of our favorites!

A lovely little book
This book reminds me of some of the books that I loved as a child.Books where an adult finally "gets it" and understands that sometimes I'm as loud as a lion and sometimes I'm as shy as a shrimp.Books where the words are good but the pictures can be even better.The pictures can stimulate the imagination in so many ways.
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Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Preschool    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Poetry - General    8. Self-perception    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Board books    11. Picture books   

Reviews (5)

Alphabet Mystery
The book arrived quickly in excellent condition. It is cleverly written with beautiful illustrations. My son adores it!

My Son loves this book
My 2 year old son is obsessed with the alphabet so he was so thrilled to see a book that treats letters like cartoon characters.When we first got the book, he wanted me to read it with him at least 3 times a day.If your child loves letters, they will love this book.

amazing illustrations
My first grade class absolutely love this book.The illustrations are amazing.I have to order a new copy for my classroom this year because the pages are falling out of my old copy from being read so much.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Alphabet    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Concepts - Alphabet    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Kissing    9. Preschool Concepts    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Fun book
My children enjoyed this book and it did not take to long to read.A good bedtime book.

Simple and Sweet
My son loves this book as a must read every morning when he wakes up and every night before he goes to bed. We love searching for the mouse and the flea and seeing the movement of the characters before they end up on the bed or off of it. The colors and the change from night to day are so smooth you almost dont notice it.

Good Book
Spanish is our native language and we speak Spanish at home so that our kids learn both Spanish and English. This book is a simple story with rather rich language, my daughter got 3 or 4 words she had never heard before. Besides, my daughter loves the story and the pictures; she likes to look for the mouse and the �pulga� in all of the pages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Fiction    5. Fleas    6. Humorous Stories    7. Sleep    8. Spanish language    9. Spanish language materials    10. Spanish: Grades 1-2    11. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (4)

Bright Colors Kids Love
My 22 month old Son LOVES this book.We have lots of books, but he always picks this one - every day and every night - before nap time and before bed.Sometime he takes the book to bed with him, and when I go to get him up there he is looking at all the Bright and Beautiful colors in this book.

A wonderfully delightful book for the little ones
My older son brought this book home from the library to read to his 27 month old brother. My younger son absolutely and totally ADORES this book. Not only does this book help teach your little one to count and colors, but it also gives them a sense of rhyming words and the fish also bring a plus side to it. A must have for any parent with little ones. This book will keep them amused for hours on end.

Baby loves it!
My 14 month old daughter received this book about two weeks ago.She absolutely loves hearing it and looking at the pictures.She will listen to it 3 or 4 times in a row and cry to hear it again.She carries the book around with her and gives it to anyone she thinks might read it to her.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Fishes    2. Children's Baby - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Concepts - Counting    6. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    7. Counting    8. Fiction    9. Fishes    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Ocean    12. Stories in rhyme    13. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Counting   

Reviews (1)

A hit with our 1 year old!
This book is fun to read; it is rhythmic and the story builds page by page. It's different than most children's books: big, simple, crisp and bright (computer generated?). My son gives a little giggle when we pull it out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Children: Preschool    5. Color    6. Concepts - Colors    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Nature & the Natural World - General    10. Preschool Concepts    11. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Colors   

Reviews (5)

Elbert's a Good Book
This is such a cute story for explaining bad words.We love the setting of a stuffy cocktail party.The pictures are great!

A must-have addition to any classroom or childrens' library!
This is one of my favorites.It is a lively, imaginative book that is fun to read aloud.I just read it today in fact to a group of second graders and they loved it so much they all clapped at the end.You will captivate your audience and have opportunities to discuss a wonderful alternative to profanity that is logical.As one other reviewer said, this book does lend itself well to a follow up discussion or activity where children can come up with their own strong words. While I don't always appreciate Audrey and Don Wood's illustrative style as as much as others might, it is fun to look through how very elaborate and imaginative they are.You will likely notice new details several times after the first time you read it due to this aspect of the illustrations.

The Good Word about Bad Words
If your child has ever "caught" a bad word, as a character in this book phrases it, then Audrey and Don Wood's "Elbert's Bad Word" is the cure you're seeking.Rather than being one of those pseudo-psychological books of the values and feelings genre, this is a lively, witty, sophisticated story that delivers its message with subtlety and humor.Even adults will love how the Woods have depicted the bad word; it's creative and clever to say the least.It also, and this children and adults will likely find enjoyable, satirizes adults' parties, poking fun at adult party foods, clothes and entertainments.Very enjoyable--and useful for the parent dealing with a case of the "bad word." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Social Issues - Manners & Etiquette    6. Social Situations - Manners & Etiquette    7. Swearing    8. Wizards    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

I Remember and Smile
I read some other peoples reviews of this book and I was a little saddened. I had this book as a child. I read it over and over. I had it all throughout my teenage years until my mom sold most of my books at half price books when I went to college. I have looked for this book again since then. I read nonstop as a child. Every family holiday picture I am sitting with a book. I brought them to the table for dinner. This is one of the few books I actually remember. Now that I have kids of my own, I am so excited that I can now share it with them.

Not typical of Audrey Wood
I totally agree with the other reviewer on this book.Audrey Wood is one of my favourite authors but unfortunately she's missed the plot on this one.The little girl in the story is whiney and painful and the illustrations are just not appealing at all.Not at all typical of an Audrey Wood story I don't think.

love, love, love......
I was read to a lot as a child and now, at 24, this is the book that stands out. This was the story that I asked to be read over and over again. I finally got the book again and was thrilled to see that it was the same as I had remembered. Balloonia, as shown to us by Audrey Wood, is a beautiful place and I don't believe you'd find a single child, or adult, who would disagree. Love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Balloons    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Readers - Beginner    8. English literature: fiction texts   

Editorial Review

Husband and wife team Don and Audrey Wood follow up on theirinternational bestseller Read more

Reviews (9)

Merry Christmas:Big Hungry Bear!
I loved the little details in the illistrations in this book. It is a great story for children at Christmas!

disappointing sequel
We loved the strawberry book, and were very excited to see this one, but it was disappointing. The drawings are great, but the story lacks the charm and depth of the original.

One of my all time favorite christmas books
We meet the liitle mouse again (first book is The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear) This time the little mouse finds the big hunger bear has no friends and no presents on christmas. The little mouse dresses as Santa and brings gifts to the big hungry bear. This a wonderfully delightful book. The pictures are so beautiful. This a great book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Christmas    4. Fiction    5. Gifts    6. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Mice    9. Christmas books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas    11. Picture books   

Reviews (9)

Magical!
This is one of our all time favorite books. The art is great and the story is a blend of magical and kooky that delights children and grown-ups alike. When it was my turn to be a guest reader at my daughters K class we went through all our books (which took two days) and this is the one she chose for me to read. It is so refreshing to find a book that appeals to me as much as it does to her and that is fun to read and not painful. If you've choked your way though enough insipid fairy, kitty, and princess drivel to last you a lifetime (and haven't we all?) then you might want to give sweet dream pie a try.
Fabulous book for children of all ages
Both my three-year old girl and seven-year old boy request this book every night.They love the colorful illustrations.It is also a wonderful book to give to kids with allergies, who will relate to Amy (pie makes her sneeze).

Sweet Dream Book!
My daughter, who is 2, loves this book! She loves to hear over and over again how the the Brindles Sweet Dream Pie cast a sweet spell over Willobie street, enticing all but Amy McPhearson who was not a fan of pie as it made her sneeze! It is so much fun to read out loud at bedtime! We took this book out of the library and we had to buy it! It's a great addition to any childs collection! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Cooking & Food    5. Dreams    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Neighborhood    11. Pies    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Earth Spirituality Delight!
This is a rare find for those with Earth based spirituality/religion.The illustrations are lush and detailed, and the story is a perfect introduction for children to the Wheel of the Year.

A treasure!
This is a beautiful book! The artwork in this book is among the best I've seen in a child's book. It's a wonderful version of a classic story & the words flow like poetry. It's a great starter book to introduce young children to the wheel of the year & the changing seasons. I like it!
Being very familiar and in love with the 1902 version of this book, I didn't know what to make of this new version, at first.But it grows on you!I especially like the way Mother Earth is portrayed, not as a Grandmotherly figure, but a beautiful woman maybe in her early thirties - an image of fertility and fruitfulness. The illustrations are lush and a bit overdone in places, but they represent the bounty of the seasons well. The introduction of Aunt Spring, Cousin Summer, Uncle Fall and Old Man Winter is different than the original, but not offensive or upsetting even to a die-hard fan, like me. The text is shorter and, for that reason, may appeal to younger children who can't sit through Sibylle von Olfers' word-ier original story. Overall, when I compare the two, the 1902 original has a certain charm that is hard to deny. Von Olfers' illustrations are simple and the text is straightforward, although a bit wordy. This new remake is beautifully done and has a different feel altogether: it's lush, full of life, color and movement. Audrey Wood has taken a risk to remake such a beloved classic, but I believe she made a good effort and successfully made it her own.I can't say it's better than the original, but I like it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Nature & the Natural World - General    7. Nature & the Natural World - Seasons    8. Performing Arts - Dance    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Spring    11. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Reviews (3)

Tooth Fairy
I have owned this book for many years. I bought the at book fair at my own children's school years ago. It is now worn and falling apart from use.I am a substitute teacher now and whenever possible take the opportunity to read this book to children anywhere from kindergarten through third grade.Every time I read this book the children beg me to read it again.Then they line up for "turns" to read it for themselves.I can not reccomend this book highly enough.It is "the bomb" when it comes to reading terrific literature. My experience with this book has boosted my interest in all books authored by Audrey Wood.

A very cute book!
My daughter loves this book and we read it to her every night.It's a cute little tale about exactly what the tooth Fairy does with all those teeth she collects.It has a wonderful moral, too!Very cute!

My Children's Favorite All-Time Book
I have three children and this book has been a part of our family for many years. It became part of our family tradition to read The Tooth Fairy by Audrey Wood each time one of the children lost a tooth-they learned the words by heart! It's a cute story and has great pictures which really capture the children's imagination. Now that my children are all grown, I have saved this book to pass on to their children! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    4. Family - Siblings    5. Health & Daily Living - Tooth Loss & Tooth Fairy    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Picture books   

Reviews (2)

The Woods get 4 stars
"The Napping House Wakes Up" is sure to please any fan of Don and Audrey Wood's goofy children's books. The tale is simple, an offbeat version of the classic "House That Jack Built" theme of a growingcatastrophe, and ends with a waking bang. The pop-up mechanics are sillyenought to bring a smile to any child or collector.

The Woods get 4 stars!
"The Napping House Wakes Up" is sure to please any fan of Don and Audrey Wood's goofy children's books. The tale is simple, an offbeat version of the classic "House That Jack Built" theme of a growingcatastrophe, and ends with a waking bang. The pop-up mechanics are sillyenought to bring a smile to any child or collector. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Pop-Ups    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. Fleas    5. Sleep    6. Specimens    7. Toy and movable books